Historically Pro-Iran Qatar Welcomes U.S. Military

American bombers were recently stationed in Qatar, Iran International reported on Thursday.

Why it matters: Qatar has long hosted a United States military facility on its territory, but it also maintains close ties with Iran. These ties were clear in the major role Qatar played in Hamas’s war on Israel.

The nation’s acceptance of the U.S. bombers could signal a turn in Qatar-Iran relations.

https://twitter.com/nukestrat/status/1853838389167923480

Full story: Iran vowed a “crushing response” against Israel for its recent attack on Iran. To defend its ally, the U.S. sent six B-52 Stratofortress bombers, a squadron of F-15E Strike Eagles and aerial refueling tankers to the Middle East.

This is the first time the B-52, one of the U.S.’s strongest bombers, has been sent to the region since 2019. Satellite imagery showed that all six B-52s were moved to Qatar this week.

• The deployment follows a deal reached in January in which Qatar agreed to let the U.S. continue its military presence at a Qatari base for another decade.
• It also comes after Qatari officials told Iran’s proxy Hamas, “You are not welcome here.”

Prophetic perspective: The Bible prophesies that some allies of Iran will change their allegiance. Qatar’s move may not fully signal a turn from Tehran, but it does show how this prophesied trend is being fulfilled.

Learn more: Read our Trends article “Why the Trumpet Watches an Alliance Between Arab Nations and Europe.”