U.S. investigators believe Russian hackers breached the state-run news agency in Qatar and planted a fake news report that helped stir a conflict between Qatar and other Arab nations, leading to a breakdown in economic and political relations, according to a report Tuesday.
FBI investigators have been sent to Doha, the capital of Qatar, to help investigate the alleged breach, officials told CNN.
U.S. officials say they believe the motive of the Russians was to create tension between the U.S. and its allies, as countries like Saudi Arabia this week distanced themselves from Qatar over accusations of financing terrorism and ties to Iran.
In particular, the Qatari government pointed to a May 23 news report from the Qatar News Agency, which it says falsely stated that the emir said that Iran is “a regional and Islamic power that cannot be ignored.” Qatar says the attributed remarks are false and were planted due to a hack; meanwhile, the Gulf nations that have cut ties with Qatar remained skeptical of the claim.
U.S. investigators have not yet announced a conclusion and the investigation is ongoing, the report said.
Russia is also accused of meddling in the 2016 presidential election, which has prompted a number of federal and congressional investigations.
President Trump took credit for the decision of five Arab nations to suspend diplomatic relations with Qatar in a series of tweets Tuesday morning. “Perhaps this will be the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism!” he said.
