Trump Touts Ceasefire Success as Gaza Deal Looms

Prof. Kobi Michael: They came out as the winners of this war. They coordinated Iran’s retaliation on US soil, positioned themselves as the ultimate mediator, not just regionally, but globally. President Trump didn’t negotiate with the Iranians directly. He did it through Qatar.

Qatar’s role went beyond diplomacy. They even coordinated the Iranian retaliation against the US bombing of Fordo, including the attack on the American base in Qatar itself. That shows how far they went in playing both sides.

President Trump is so happy with this result that he’s softening US pressure on Qatar regarding its ongoing support for Hamas. That’s the problem. The Americans were hijacked by the Qataris.

Qatar’s long-standing ties to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood continue to raise concerns in Israeli and regional policy circles. Together with Turkey, they are the biggest supporters of political Islam. They want Hamas to stay in Gaza—and to dominate the entire Palestinian political arena. Their vision is to reestablish an Islamic caliphate.

Published in The Media Line, June  27, 2025.