Qatar denies coordination with Iran regarding gas production economy

Qatar denied what was published by the Washington Post on Friday, “and any claim that operational decisions related to energy production were taken or implemented, at any time, in coordination with Iran or to achieve its interests, or with the aim of influencing the course of events in the region,” according to the text of a statement issued by the Qatari International Information Office.

The office added: “The falsity of these allegations is particularly clear, given that the State of Qatar was at that time confronting Iranian missile attacks targeting its territory, in addition to the allegations themselves based on false and unreliable materials, coming from parties seeking to undermine the ongoing efforts to reach an end to the conflict through mediation, harm the reputation of the State of Qatar, and negatively impact the close strategic partnership between the State of Qatar and the United States of America.”

“variable claims”

The Qatari International Information Office explained that the foundations on which the Washington Post based its claims have changed over time, yet the main narrative in its coverage has remained constant without change, despite the facts and information presented to the newspaper, according to the statement.

The office noted that “any conclusions that the State of Qatar overestimated the extent of the damage to the Ras Laffan LNG facility or fabricated it as an excuse to close it are baseless,” noting that in the immediate aftermath of the outbreak of military operations, Qatari officials transparently explained that the decision to declare a state of force majeure on LNG contracts was taken because it was no longer possible to guarantee the safety of employees.

“Safety above commercial considerations”

According to the statement, “This decision was based on threat assessments conducted by the Qatari Armed Forces, which indicated a real danger threatening lives in energy facilities,” according to the statement.

The office stated that “Qatar Energy has a well-established reputation for its commitment to transparency, presenting facts, and staying away from political issues. It also expresses the State of Qatar’s categorical rejection of any suggestion that Qatar Energy deliberately distorted the basis on which it relied in suspending its operations or declaring a state of force majeure.”

The office stressed that “Qatar will continue to place the safety of its citizens and residents on its soil above any commercial considerations, and that any attempt to reinterpret this decision or portray it in a misleading manner is baseless and carries the risk of misleading readers,” according to the statement.

The office concluded the statement by noting that, “Reputable media institutions, such as The Washington Post, have a responsibility to adhere to the highest journalistic standards, especially when dealing with issues with major global implications. It is extremely unfortunate that the Washington Post allowed itself, in this case, to be used as a platform to pass a disinformation campaign behind which parties seek to undermine efforts to achieve peace in the region. In doing so, the newspaper contributed to the publication of false allegations and failed to adhere to the standards of accuracy that its readers expect,” according to the text of the statement.