US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a meeting with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, according to a statement released by the US State Department on Saturday. The meeting underscored Qatar’s role as a key mediator for Washington, which is currently awaiting Tehran’s response to a peace proposal.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Rubio praised Qatar’s partnership on various issues during the talks. The two leaders discussed US cooperation in Qatar’s defense sector and emphasized the importance of continued coordination to address threats and ensure stability and security across the Middle East.

The report highlighted Qatar’s growing diplomatic significance in regional affairs, particularly in facilitating dialogue between the United States and other Middle Eastern actors.