Qatar has been one of America’s major allies in the Middle East. The country has hosted the US air base Al Udeid for years and since 2003, it has contributed some $8 billion to get that facility running. Doha has played a key role in Washington’s missions in the region, including the recent pullout of US troops from Afghanistan.

Doha has been "extremely frustrated" with the US dragging its feet on the sale of MQ-9B Predator drones to Qatar, a source in the Gulf familiar with the discussions told Sputnik.

Qatar requested that the US provide it with four armed drones a year ago. The Pentagon was reportedly pushing for the deal to go through, and Doha was prepared to fork out half a billion dollars for that delivery. The State Department, however, has been slow-walking the request without providing any details.

The issue is likely to top the agenda of Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, who is expected in Washington as early as next month.