US President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed credit for the isolation of Qatar by its neighbours in the Middle East. He also expressed hope that this could be the "the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism."

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) a couple of days ago severed all their ties with Qatar. They said the step had been taken to protect their territories from "the dangers of terrorism and extremism." Yemen later joined their ranks.

Qatar has since then decried the move. It said in a statement: "The measures are unjustified and are based on false and baseless claims. The aim is clear, and it is to impose guardianship on the state. This by itself is a violation of its (Qatar's) sovereignty as a state."

It may be noted that airlines from Qatar have stopped plying to and from the five isolating countries, and the five nations have also reciprocated in kind.

Trump takes credit

It has now emerged that United States President Donald Trump may have been responsible for this isolation of Qatar. He said in a tweet on Tuesday: "During my recent trip to the Middle East I stated that there can no longer be funding of Radical Ideology. Leaders pointed to Qatar - look! [sic]"

He went on to add in two more tweets: "So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the King and 50 countries already paying off. They said they would take a hard line on funding extremism, and all reference was pointing to Qatar. Perhaps this will be the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism!"

During my recent trip to the Middle East I stated that there can no longer be funding of Radical Ideology. Leaders pointed to Qatar - look! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 6, 2017

So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the King and 50 countries already paying off. They said they would take a hard line on funding... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 6, 2017

...extremism, and all reference was pointing to Qatar. Perhaps this will be the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 6, 2017

Trump was referring to his visit to several Middle-Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, last month. He had during his visit told the Middle-Eastern countries about terrorism and terrorists: "This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects or different civilisations. This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life and decent people, all in the name of religion — people that want to protect life and want to protect their religion. This is a battle between good and evil."

Trump had targeted Iran, not Qatar

Ironically, it was Iran that the US President had put in his crosshairs during his visit, telling Middle-Eastern heads of states: "From Lebanon to Iraq to Yemen, Iran funds, arms and trains terrorists, militias and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region."

He had also said: "Until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate it... and pray for the day when the Iranian people have the just and righteous government they so richly deserve."