A top Gulf official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP a major concern was the influence of Sheikh Tamim's father, Sheikh Hamad, who had allowed the Taliban to open an office in Doha and helped arm Syrian rebels before abdicating in 2013.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and other nations severed formal relations with Qatar and accused its government of supporting terrorism. The report was widely picked up by regional media outlets, which continued circulating it after Qatar's denial.
In a surprise decision announced on Monday, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain effectively sealed the country off, forbidding their citizens from travelling to, residing in or passing through Qatar.
Four Arab countries which cut ties with Qatar this week over its alleged support of terrorism on Friday designated dozens of people with alleged links to Qatar as terrorists, intensifying a row that threatens the region's stability. "UAE have banned Qatari nationals from transiting through UAE, so we're looking to see if that affects any passengers", Qantas Airways Ltd International Chief Executive Gareth Evans said.
Qatar is on a peninsula, sharing one land border with Saudi Arabia - which is now closed - and otherwise surrounded by the Gulf.
Would-be mediators, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Kuwait's ruling emir, have struggled to ease a crisis that Qataris say has led to a blockade of their nation. But other officials in his administration sought to downplay that message and emphasize the need for regional cooperation.
Trump creates a Twitter 'covfefe'
Or perhaps, it was his jibe at Trump critics who has unleashed endless waves of mockery with their wild guesses of its meaning. Unfortunately, he tweeted " covfefe " instead of coverage. "Trump is right - he really does have the best words".
"We truly believe that the involvement of the president and the USA will bring this crisis to an end".
Gregory Gause, a professor at Texas A&M and an expert on the Gulf region, spoke to NPR on Tuesday about the diplomatic rift.
He said there are multiple issues at play.
Its release was just the latest escalation in the bloc's efforts to isolate Qatar, as allegations that it interferes in the affairs of its neighbours by supporting and financing Islamist groups continue to be levied against it. CNN is reporting that United States investigators believe Russian hackers may have been behind the effort and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been sent to Qatar to help investigate.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also dismissed CNN's report on Tuesday, saying it "further undermined its reputation as an independent and objective media outlet".
Trump's tweets seem to have been issued in haste without consideration for USA ties to Qatar which is home to an important U.S. air base.
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