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

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.