Trump to Meet Qatar’s Prime Minister at White House on Monday

U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, at the White House on Monday, November 9. The presidential schedule places their meeting in the Oval Office at noon Eastern Standard Time, or 7 p.m. in Israel. The White House issued the schedule on November 8 and listed the meeting as closed to the press. The announcement follows Qatar’s public account of its mediation between Washington and Tehran. On November 3, foreign-ministry spokesman Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari said Qatar was helping the two sides exchange proposals. He described a Qatari delegation’s visit to Tehran the previous day, including a meeting lasting about three hours, before its return to Doha that evening. Al Ansari described a “glimmer of hope” but said a specific breakthrough could not yet be announced. He characterized the mediation as a joint Qatari-Pakistani effort coordinated with regional partners, particularly members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. His account said communications and exchanges of proposals were continuing at that time. On November 5, Sheikh Mohammed spoke by telephone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to Qatar’s foreign ministry. They discussed regional developments, diplomatic efforts and coordination to reduce tensions. The prime minister expressed support for initiatives to secure freedom of maritime navigation and facilitate a comprehensive regional agreement.