A Qatari official rejected claims by Israeli analyst Amit Segal that Qatar coordinated with Iran to halt gas production to pressure the United States to end the war, saying the shutdown was solely for safety reasons and accusing Segal of spreading false reports.

A Qatari official has rejected claims by Israeli political analyst Amit Segal that Qatar coordinated with Iran to halt gas production as part of a political scheme linked to the war in the region.

In a statement obtained by Doha News, the official said the temporary shutdown of a natural gas liquefaction facility was taken solely for safety reasons following the recent escalation, dismissing suggestions of political coordination as “false” and “irresponsible”.

The remarks came after Segal alleged in a Substack newsletter on Thursday that Qatar’s decision to halt production was part of a broader plan involving Iran aimed at influencing the course of the war and pressuring the United States.

Responding to the claims, the Qatari official accused media figures close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of promoting narratives designed to create friction in the region and draw additional countries into the conflict.

The official also rejected a pattern of misinformation in recent days, including claims circulated in Israeli media that Qatar had attacked Iran.

“It is no surprise that unofficial mouthpieces of Prime Minister Netanyahu are attempting to exploit this period of global instability to sow further tension and division across the region,” the official said.

He added that Netanyahu had for more than two years pursued a regional agenda that had “fuelled conflict and chaos in pursuit of his own political ambitions”.

The official accused Segal of attempting to drive a wedge between Washington and Doha by portraying Qatar’s safety decision as a calculated political move.

“While it may be difficult for Mr. Netanyahu and his mouthpieces to grasp, Qatar will always prioritise people’s safety over political or economic gain,” the statement said.

The official also pointed to a series of inaccurate reports circulated in recent days, including claims that Qatar had attacked Iran.

“These allegations are the latest in a pattern of false reports made by Segal in recent days, including highly irresponsible claims that Qatar attacked Iran,” he said.

He added that narratives circulated by some Israeli media allies risked drawing additional countries into an already volatile situation at a time when the region urgently needed de-escalation.

“At a time when the region urgently needs de-escalation, such narratives set a dangerous precedent and should be called out for their reckless and malign intent,” the statement said.

Full statement from Qatari official responding to Segal’s claims:

It is no surprise that unofficial mouthpieces of Prime Minister Netanyahu are attempting to exploit this period of global instability to sow further tension and division across the region. For more than two years, Mr. Netanyahu has pursued a regional agenda that has fuelled conflict and chaos in pursuit of his own political ambitions.

The latest example can be found in remarks by Amit Segal, who attempts to drive a wedge between the US and Qatar by alleging that Qatar’s decision to halt energy production was a calculated political move. While it may be difficult for Mr. Netanyahu and his mouthpieces to grasp, Qatar will always prioritise people’s safety over political or economic gain. These allegations are the latest in a pattern of false reports made by Segal in recent days, including highly irresponsible claims that Qatar attacked Iran.

Certain media allies of Mr. Netanyahu have repeatedly circulated baseless claims intended to create friction in the region and draw additional countries into an already volatile situation. At a time when the region urgently needs de-escalation, such narratives set a dangerous precedent and should be called out for their reckless and malign intent.