US opens 'air defence coordination cell' in Qatar as Iran tensions rise

The United States and Qatar have opened a new air and missile defense coordination center at al-Udeid air base, involving 17 countries. This development occurs amid heightened tensions with Iran and follows a previous Israeli attack on Hamas negotiators in Doha. The new facility underscores Qatar's strategic role in the US military's regional network, prompting the Gulf state to seek stronger American security guarantees. The move also coincides with the Trump administration weighing potential military strikes on Iran and reviewing major arms deals with regional allies.