An LNG tanker carrying Qatari gas bound for Pakistan was attacked on Friday near the Strait of Hormuz even though — according to people cited by Bloomberg — Iranian authorities had cleared the passage only hours earlier. Islamabad had negotiated safe transit for the Marshall Islands-flagged Al Mayeda.

After the incident, vessel tracking showed the ship reversed course back into the Persian Gulf. Who attacked it, why it was targeted, and whether the cargo will still reach Pakistan remain unclear. Attribution to a specific actor is not confirmed in these reports.

Indian shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the vessel was struck in a projectile attack and that all 25 crew members — including six Indians — were safe. Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) confirmed on Sunday that Al Mayeda had been hit but remained operational; an assessment was under way.

Over the past month Pakistan had secured passage for several Qatari LNG shipments through Hormuz into the Gulf of Oman via talks with Tehran. LNG flows through the strait were about 30% of pre-war levels in October. Losing this cargo could force spot-market replacement buys at more than three times pre-war prices.

Qatar has kept exporting through the waterway since September, including on older ships to limit insurance costs. The attack complicates the diplomatic arrangements Islamabad has used to ease energy shortages amid the regional conflict.

Source: Pakistan LNG Cargo Attacked Near Hormuz Had Iranian Approval (Bloomberg); confirmation: Pakistan-bound LNG tanker attacked near Hormuz despite Iran clearance — Bloomberg (Investing.com)