US President Donald Trump has signed an order vowing to defend key ally Qatar against attacks, the White House said Wednesday, in an extraordinary move following Israeli strikes on the Gulf state last month.

The Israeli strike angered Washington and spurred Trump to push Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into accepting a Gaza peace deal this week -- and apologizing personally to Qatar.

"The United States shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty or critical infrastructure of the state of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States," said Trump's executive order.

"In the event of such an attack, the United States shall take all lawful and appropriate measures -- including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military -- to defend the int

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