Qatar, U.S. to finalise enhanced defence cooperation agreement, Rubio says

Sep 16, 2025

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio listens as he speaks to media at Ben Gurion International Airport, as he departs Tel Aviv for Qatar following an official visit, near Lod, Israel, September 16, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/Pool — Nathan Howard

TEL AVIV (Reuters) -Qatar and the United States are on the verge of finalising an enhanced defence cooperation agreement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday while departing Tel Aviv for Doha.

Rubio is visiting the Middle East amid heightened tensions after Israel attacked Hamas political leaders in Qatar last week drawing widespread criticism.

(Reporting by Simon Lewis, Writing by Nayera Abdallah; Editing by Michael Georgy)

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