UPDATE - Pentagon chief announces Qatari Air Force facility in US state of Idaho

ADDS REMARKS BY PENTAGON CHIEF

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth announced on Friday that the US will host a new Qatari Air Force facility in the US state of Idaho.

"Today we're announcing or signing a letter of acceptance to build a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at the Mountain Mome Air Base in Idaho," Hegseth told reporters, along with Qatari Defense Minister Sheikh Saoud al-Thani at the Pentagon.

Location will host a contingent of Qatari F-15s and pilots to enhance the combined training, and increase lethality and interoperability, he added.

"It's just another example of our partnership," Hegseth said.

Sheikh Saoud said Qatar shares a "deep" defense relationship grounded in mutual respect and a common vision for peace and stability in the Middle East.

Qatar welcomes the signing of the letter of acceptance establishing a Qatari facility in Idaho, he said, adding: "This step strengthens interoperability, enhance joint readiness and advance our shared defense goals.

Later, Hegseth issued a clarification saying that while the two nations continue to work closely on defense initiatives, including cooperation with F-15QA aircraft, Qatar will not establish a military base on US soil.

"However, to be clear, Qatar will not have their own base in the United States—nor anything like a base. We control the existing base, like we do with all partners," he wrote on the US social media company, X.