US and Qatari leaders will discuss a broad agenda in Washington on Monday, including Iran and energy security in the aftermath of a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine, US officials said.
Qatar is the world's largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and may divert supplies to Europe if the Ukraine conflict disrupts Russian gas deliveries to the continent. Russia supplies about one-third of Europe’s gas.
President Joe Biden's agenda for the Oval Office meeting with Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will also include the Iran nuclear talks and relations with Afghanistan, where Washington's interests are now represented by the small Gulf country.
Qatar’s foreign minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani visited Tehran on January 27 and held talks with senior officials. Iran denied that the visit was related to facilitating direct talks between Tehran and Washington, as some media had reported.
Qatar has maintained friendly ties with Iran despite serious tensions other Arab Gulf states have with Tehran.
Tamim will also meet separately with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and discuss arms sales and other military issues with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, an official told reporters.
