Qatar flatly denies report claiming it cut deal with Iran to avoid coming under attack during war

Qatar forcefully denies a Washington Post report claiming that it had cut a “secret deal” with Iran under which the latter would refrain from targeting the Ras Laffan gas in exchange for Doha halting gas production in a move that raised global energy prices and urgency to end the Iran war.

“Any suggestion that operational decisions relating to energy production were – or have ever been – made in coordination with Iran, for Iran’s benefit, or to influence the course of the conflict is entirely unfounded,” Qatar’s International Media Office says in a statement.

“These allegations are particularly implausible given that Qatar was actively defending its territory against Iranian missile attacks at the time,” it adds.

“The allegations rely on false and unreliable material originating from actors whose objective is to sabotage ongoing efforts to mediate an end to the conflict, damage Qatar’s reputation, and undermine the strategic partnership between Qatar and the United States.”

“The basis of the allegations advanced by The Washington Post shifted over time, yet the underlying narrative in its reporting remained unchanged despite the facts and information presented to it,” the statement continues.

Statement by the International Media Office of the State of Qatar regarding allegations published by The Washington Posthttps://t.co/xjFnfLnEbp pic.twitter.com/mzMp0QyP8l

— Qatar's International Media Office (@IMO_Qatar) June 12, 2026