US Secretly Approved Qatar-Iran Financial Deal for Safe Passage Through Strait of Hormuz, Sources Say
Israel Hayom reveals the US quietly approved a multi-billion dollar Qatar-Iran deal for safe ship passage in the Strait of Hormuz, contradicting public policy.
The United States quietly greenlit a side arrangement between Qatar and Iran under which Doha paid billions of dollars to Tehran in exchange for safe passage of Qatari tankers and ships through the Strait of Hormuz, three diplomatic officials have confirmed to Israel Hayom.
The deal was reportedly struck about one month ago, as Iran effectively controlled traffic in the vital waterway amid the broader conflict. Qatari vessels gained guaranteed safe transit while many other international ships faced restrictions, mines, or high-risk routes.
According to the sources, the payments — totaling billions — included direct fees for some tankers, access to Iranian funds already held in Qatar, and a credit line of up to $1 billion for purchasing goods routed through Doha. The US Navy was aware of the arrangement but did not intervene, despite Washington’s public stance against payments to Iran or the IRGC for safe passage.
Pragmatic Energy Security
Qatar, a major global LNG exporter, sought to protect its critical gas infrastructure and maintain exports after one of its facilities came under attack earlier in the conflict. The arrangement allowed key Qatari LNG tankers to continue operating, helping stabilize global energy markets at a time of soaring prices and disrupted supplies. crisisgroup.org
US officials reportedly viewed the quiet deal as a temporary workaround to ease pressure on energy markets and lower oil prices while broader US-Iran negotiations advanced. Qatar, which has long maintained ties with both Washington and Tehran, served as a key mediator in the recent ceasefire framework.
Official US Policy vs. Reality
The arrangement stands in contrast to repeated US warnings. The Treasury Department had stated that any deals with Iran for safe passage — even without direct payments — were prohibited for US persons. Publicly, the administration offered political risk insurance and potential naval escorts as alternatives.
Iran had been charging ad hoc tolls of up to $2 million per vessel in some cases, often in yuan or cryptocurrency, further complicating the maritime picture.
Part of Broader Deal
This Qatar-Iran channel appears to have fed into the larger US-Iran memorandum of understanding announced in recent days. That framework, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, includes full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without tolls, a ceasefire extension, and phased sanctions relief tied to Iranian commitments on shipping and other issues. iNo immediate comment was available from the US State Department, Qatar, or Iran on the specific side arrangement. Israeli officials have expressed skepticism about such backchannel deals, viewing them as undermining pressure on Tehran.
The situation remains fluid as implementation of the wider agreement proceeds, with markets closely monitoring any signs of renewed disruptions in one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.