Dhaka, March 27 -- The United States has preliminarily approved Qatar's request to purchase eight MQ-9B Predator armed drones, a deal valued at nearly $2 billion.

The State Department's approval, announced early Thursday, follows Doha's prolonged efforts to secure the drones under the Biden administration, which had not authorized the sale despite Qatar's role as a key intermediary between Washington and the Taliban in Afghanistan, Iran's leadership, and Hamas in Gaza. However, this immediate approval under President Donald Trump signals a shift in U.S. relations with Qatar, particularly considering his prior support for a four-nation boycott of Doha during his first term.

"This proposed sale will advance U.S. foreign policy and nationa...