In a major step toward deepening military cooperation, the United States has finalized an agreement allowing Qatar to establish an air force facility in Idaho. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the deal during a meeting with Qatari Defence Minister Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani at the Pentagon on Friday. The new Qatari Emiri Air Force facility will be built at Mountain Home Airbase in northwestern Idaho. It will host Qatari F-15 fighter jets and serve as a training center for Qatari pilots. Hegseth described the project as “another example of our strong partnership,” emphasizing its role in improving joint combat readiness and interoperability between the two allies. While the Pentagon has not disclosed the exact number of aircraft or the operational timeline, the deal marks a significant milestone in Qatar–US relations. Hegseth also lauded Qatar’s “substantial role” in mediating peace efforts, particularly its involvement in brokering a Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement alongside Egypt and Turkey. This announcement comes just weeks after President Donald Trump signed an executive order pledging to defend Qatar using “all necessary measures,” including US military intervention if required. The order effectively creates a new level of strategic defense cooperation, resembling the framework of a NATO-style alliance between Washington and Doha. The move follows escalating tensions in the Middle East, notably the Israeli airstrikes on Hamas leaders in Doha on September 9. The attacks killed several Hamas members and a Qatari security official, prompting a strong response from Qatar and its allies. Qatar already hosts the largest US military base in the Middle East — the Al-Udeid Air Base — which serves as the operational hub for all American air missions in the region. Earlier this year, the base came under attack by Iran in retaliation for US strikes on its nuclear sites, underscoring the growing volatility in the Gulf. With the new Idaho training base, both nations aim to strengthen their air defense collaboration and ensure long-term stability in the region. The partnership highlights Qatar’s rising strategic importance as a trusted US ally and a critical peace mediator in the Middle East.