In a statement carried by Qatar News Agency, the office dismissed the claims as entirely false and particularly implausible, as Qatar was, at the time, responding to Iranian missile attacks targeting its territory.

The statement emphasised that any suggestion that the State of Qatar exaggerated damages to the Ras Laffan LNG facility or used them as a pretext for shutdowns is baseless. Following the outbreak of military operations, Qatari officials clearly stated that the declaration of force majeure on LNG contracts was made because staff safety could no longer be guaranteed. The office also defended Qatar Energy’s record, rejecting any suggestion that the company had misrepresented the reasons for halting operations or invoking force majeure, describing such insinuations as groundless given its long-standing reputation for straightforward, apolitical reporting.

Qatar's International Media Office rounded off its statement with a pointed rebuke of the Washington Post, urging the paper to hold itself to the journalistic standards expected of a publication of its standing. It described it as deeply regrettable that the newspaper had allowed itself to become a vehicle for a disinformation campaign orchestrated by parties intent on derailing peace efforts in the region – and in doing so, had fallen short of the basic commitment to accuracy its readers have every right to expect.