The US has finalized an agreement that will allow Qatar to build an air force facility in Idaho, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced.
He said the facility - where pilots from the Gulf state would be trained to fly F-15 fighter jets - would be established at the Mountain Home Airbase in the north-western US state.
It's just another example of our partnership, Hegseth said during a meeting with his Qatari counterpart, Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, at the Pentagon on Friday.
Hegseth also praised Qatar for playing a substantial role in efforts led by President Donald Trump to secure a Gaza ceasefire and hostage return deal.
Qatar - along with Egypt and Turkey - has been an active mediator during months of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
On Friday, Hegseth stated he was proud that today we're signing a letter of acceptance to build a Qatari Emiri Air Force Facility at the Mountain Home Airbase in Idaho.
According to Hegseth, the facility will host a contingent of Qatari F-15s and pilots, enhancing combined training and interoperability.
Last month, President Trump signed an executive order pledging to use all measures - including the US military - to defend Qatar, outlining a significant security pact between America and a key ally in the region.
This agreement comes following a volatile period marked by Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar's capital, Doha, and emphasizes Qatar's pivotal role in regional security dynamics.
