Timothy Lenderking, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Gulf Affairs, said his country hopes to progress towards declaring Qatar a major non-NATO ally.
On the Gulf crisis, Lenderking said that Gulf unity is necessary in order to enhance the security of the region, noting that Washington calls on the Gulf states to unite.
Lenderking added that his country is in contact with all Gulf parties to resolve the crisis, even if it takes time, he said.
The US official said that the US State Department held talks with Qatari officials about expanding Al-Udeid Air Base.