Pakistan has worked with Iran to ensure safe passage for the liquefied natural gas carrier Al Mayeda before it was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The ship, flagged from the Marshall Islands, was traveling toward the waterway with a load of LNG from Qatar when it came under fire. These sources, who requested anonymity, indicated that Iranian authorities had given approval for the ship just hours earlier.
Following the attack, the ship turned around and headed back into the Persian Gulf, as per ship-tracking data.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry stated on Sunday that “Qatar reserves its right to take all necessary measures, in accordance with international law and the UN Charter, to protect its assets and ensure the safety of its vessels and crews.” They also mentioned that an investigation into the incident is underway.
Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal posted on X about the incident, confirming that the ship was struck by a projectile. He assured that all 25 crew members, including six Indian nationals, were safe but did not offer more details. Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd. (Nakilat) stated on Sunday that the carrier is still operational and is undergoing assessment.
It remains unclear why the tanker was attacked or if it would continue its journey to its destination. Pakistan, leveraging its relationship with Iran and acting as a mediator, has communicated with Iranian authorities about the safety of other Qatari LNG shipments over the past month, all of which successfully entered the Gulf of Oman.
This incident highlights the ongoing risks for vessels in the Hormuz area and presents a new challenge for Pakistan, which has been struggling with an energy deficit due to unrest in the Middle East. Without the LNG shipment, Pakistan may have to resort to the spot market, where prices are currently more than three times higher than pre-war levels.