GETTY Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani

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The emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, had been quoted in May as praising Hamas and saying that Iran was an “Islamic power,” the Post reported. In response, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain cut diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of supporting terrorism.

Qatar said in late May that hackers had posted fake remarks by the emir, an explanation rejected by Gulf states. The Post reported that US intelligence officials learned last week of newly analysed information that showed that top UAE government officials discussed the planned hacks on May 23, the day before they occurred.

The Qatari crisis, in pictures Tue, July 4, 2017 Qatar is in a state of crisis after Saudi Arabia cut all ties and closed its borders to its neighbour, accusing it of funding terror Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 12 Donald Trump and Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani take part in a bilateral meeting at a hotel in Riyadh on 21st May

The officials said it was unclear if the UAE hacked the websites or paid for them to be carried out, the newspaper reported. The Post did not identify the intelligence officials it spoke to for the report. UAE Ambassador Yousef al-Otaiba denied the report in a statement, saying it was “false,” the Post said. “What is true is Qatar's behaviour. Funding, supporting, and enabling extremists from the Taliban to Hamas and Qadafi.

GETTY UAE Ambassador Yousef al-Otaiba denied hacking allegations in a statement