Turkish, Qatari DefMins discuss regional security amid Iran tensions

2026-03-10 - 08:33

Turkish National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler spoke by phone Tuesday with Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the Turkish Defense Ministry announced. The conversation focused on bilateral and regional defense and security matters, reflecting ongoing coordination between the two allied nations. Strengthening Defense Cooperation The discussion underscores the deepening defense partnership between Ankara and Doha, both of which maintain close military ties and strategic cooperation. Qatar hosts a Turkish military base and both countries have worked together on various regional security initiatives. The phone call provided an opportunity to exchange assessments on the rapidly evolving security environment in the Middle East. Regional Security Context The dialogue takes place against the backdrop of escalating regional tensions following the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran launched February 28. The campaign has now killed approximately 1,300 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military officials. Iran has responded with waves of drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states hosting US military assets. Tehran has also effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that normally handles about 20 million barrels of oil shipments daily and roughly 20% of global liquefied natural gas trade.