In public, Qatar was insisting on the right to defend itself after Iran attacked a U.S. military site in the emirate. Behind the scenes, it was already mediating a truce between Israel and Iran.

President Trump and VP Vance "coordinated at the highest level" with Qatar's emir and premier, a diplomat told Newsweek.

It remains to be seen how long the truce will hold and whether it will pave the way for a nuclear deal between the U.S. and Iran.