Two US Navy vessels arrived in the Gulf on Wednesday for a joint exercise with Qatar's fleet, according to Doha state media.
The American boats arrived at Hamad Port south of Doha "to participate in a joint exercise with the Qatari Emiri Navy," according to a Ministry of Defence statement posted on the Qatar News Agency.
It is not clear when the joint exercise was arranged, but it will take place during a time of crisis in the Gulf.
Saudi Arabia and allies have imposed a political and economic "blockade" on Qatar, in protest at Doha's support for Islamist extremist groups as well as over its ties to Shiite Iran.
The move has been backed by nations including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and others.
Qatar strongly denies the charges and claims neighbouring countries are trying to interfere with its foreign policy.
America's largest air base in the Middle East, Al-Udeid, is in Qatar.
Subsea pipelines offer shelter to important commercial fish species in Australia
For conservationists and environmentalists, pipelines and the oil they carry are mostly viewed as a threat to ecological health. But new research suggests they serve as a safe haven for important commercial fish species off the coast of northwest Australia.
The North West Shelf, which lies off the coast of Western Australia, features an array of gas wells, subsea pipelines and other kin … read more
