Qatar Mediates U.S.-Iran Negotiations as Iran Approves LNG Passage to Pakistan

Amid final negotiations for a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, Qatar is accelerating its role as a mediator. Iran has reportedly approved the passage of a Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel through the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a move to build trust with the mediating country.

On May 9, Axios reported that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Miami. The meeting was convened to discuss ways to draft a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at ending the war in Iran.

Prime Minister Al Thani was initially scheduled to return to Doha after a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Washington but altered his plans to head to Miami instead. While in Miami, he also spoke with the Saudi foreign minister to discuss mediation strategies.

The U.S. and Iran are currently negotiating a one-page document to officially end the war and establish a framework for future discussions on sensitive issues, including Iran's nuclear program. Reports indicate that U.S. officials were awaiting Iran's latest response by the afternoon of May 10.

Since the outbreak of the war, Pakistan has served as the official mediator between the U.S. and Iran, but Qatar has also been involved in behind-the-scenes negotiations. U.S. officials have stated that the White House views Qatar as an effective mediator in talks with Iran.

A source revealed that Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia are collaborating to reach an agreement, urging both sides to de-escalate tensions and focus on a resolution.

Iran Approves Passage of Qatari LNG Vessel Through Strait of Hormuz

In related developments, a Qatari LNG vessel has received approval from Iran to navigate toward the Strait of Hormuz. According to Reuters, citing shipping data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), the LNG carrier "Al Karaitiyat" departed from Qatar's Ras Laffan port and is en route to Pakistan's Qasim port.

Sources indicate that the shipment was sold under a government contract between Pakistan and Qatar, and Iran granted this passage as part of building trust with Pakistan, which has played a mediating role in ceasefire negotiations with the U.S.

If successful, this voyage will mark the first instance of a Qatari LNG vessel passing through the Strait of Hormuz since the war began in late February. Facing a severe gas shortage, Pakistan has been requesting Iran to allow LNG vessels to transit, even on a limited basis.

The "Al Karaitiyat," registered in the Marshall Islands, is a large vessel capable of carrying approximately 212,000 cubic meters of LNG and is managed by a Qatari shipping company. Previously, on April 6, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) halted two Qatari LNG carriers heading toward the Strait of Hormuz without explanation.

Qatar is the world's second-largest LNG exporter, primarily supplying gas to Asian markets. However, it has been reported that 17% of Qatar's total LNG export capacity was impacted by Iranian attacks early in the war. It is expected to take 3 to 5 years to restore production facilities with an annual capacity of 12.8 million tons.

* This article has been translated by AI.

Hwang Jin Hyun