Pakistan LNG Cargo Attacked Near Hormuz Had Iranian Approval

(Bloomberg) — Pakistan negotiated with Iran to secure safe passage for liquefied natural gas carrier Al Mayeda before the ship was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter.

The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel was sailing toward the waterway loaded with LNG from Qatar when it came under fire, the people said, asking not to be named as they are not authorized to speak to the media. Just hours earlier, Iranian authorities were understood to have provided a green light, they added.

The ship subsequently turned around and headed into the Persian Gulf, according to ship-tracking data.

“Qatar reserves its right to take all necessary measures, in accordance with international law and the UN Charter, to protect its assets and safeguard its vessels and their crews,” the Qatari Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday, adding that authorities are investigating the incident and those responsible.

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