Qatar has submitted a proposal to ease tensions in the Strait of Hormuz by creating designated shipping lanes for limited maritime traffic, according to people familiar with the initiative, as the Gulf state seeks to broker a de-escalation between Iran and Western-aligned nations.
The plan, presented several days ago, includes the establishment of a new primary shipping lane through the critical waterway, along with negotiations over two additional routes — one to the north and one to the south — that would allow vessels to pass under restricted conditions, the sources said. In exchange, Qatar is prepared to facilitate the release of $1.3 billion to Iran.
Iran’s Supreme Leader was expected to respond to the proposal on Sunday, but no official reply has been received, according to the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic efforts.
The initiative comes as Iran has conducted a series of attacks on commercial vessels in and near the strait, raising risks for global energy shipments and prompting heightened alerts from maritime authorities. Qatar, which maintains relationships with both Iran and the United States, has positioned itself as a mediator in the crisis.
A senior Qatari official declined to comment on the specifics of the proposal.
The Strait of Hormuz is a chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of global oil trade. Disruptions there have already driven up energy prices and insurance costs for shipping companies. Qatar’s proposal aims to restore a measure of predictability while addressing Tehran’s demands for greater control over traffic in the waterway.
The $1.3 billion figure appears linked to frozen or restricted Iranian funds, part of broader financial discussions that have surfaced in recent indirect talks.
It remains unclear whether Iran will accept the framework or if the proposal has the full backing of the United States and other Gulf states. U.S. officials have not publicly commented on the Qatari effort.
