US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met yesterday, Saturday, with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani—a close US ally in the Middle East.

The US State Department stated that the meeting took place while awaiting a response to a peace proposal sent to Iran. Qatar is serving as a key intermediary between Washington and Tehran.

In a statement, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said, “The Secretary of State expressed appreciation for Qatar’s partnership on various issues.”

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed also concurrently serves as the country’s Foreign Minister.

The statement further noted that the meeting included discussions regarding US support for Qatar’s defense capabilities, as well as the importance of close coordination in maintaining security and stability in the Middle East.