'Fake News': Qatar University dismisses reports of honorary doctorate awarded to Qasem Soleimani's daughter

Qatar University has denied reports that it granted an honorary doctorate to the daughter of slain Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani.

In a tweet, the public research university dismissed the claims concerning Zeinab Soleimani, an outspoken figure who called for revenge against the US in the aftermath of her father's death in a drone strike, as "fake news".

"With respect to Qatar University's right to reply, it confirms that it has not awarded any degree to this woman," read a two-part tweet posted on its official account.

The university said that granting of honorary doctorates was a process subject to "stringent conditions" set by the university.

While the origin of the claim is unclear, it is believed to have been circulated by UAE and Saudi-based accounts on social media, who are known to have engaged in past disinformation campaigns aimed at smearing Qatar and Qatar-based institutions.  

Accusations that Qatar was 'too close' to Iran – a claim Doha vigorously denied – led to the Gulf crisis that saw four Arab states severe all diplomatic ties with the oil-rich country. The rift formally ended early this year.

Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps‘ (IRGC) elite Quds Force, was killed in a US-ordered drone strike near Baghdad International Airport in January 2020.

The killing of Iran's most powerful general caused tensions between Tehran and Washington to soar, raising fears of all-out war.