Key facts
- Qatar reportedly offered Iran a secret deal to halt natural gas production during the US-Israeli war.
- The offer aimed to shield Qatar's Ras Laffan gas facility from Iranian strikes.
- US officials became aware of the offer through intercepted communications.
- The Ras Laffan facility, which supplies a fifth of the world's natural gas, was shut down on the third day of the war.
- Iran later struck the facility in March, damaging infrastructure and reducing output.
- Qatar has denied any political motives or coordination with Iran regarding the production halt.
Qatar reportedly proposed a secret deal to Iran during the US-Israeli war, offering to halt its natural gas production to protect the Ras Laffan facility and pressure the US and Israel to end the conflict, according to a Washington Post report citing US officials.
Under the alleged proposal, Iran would refrain from targeting the Ras Laffan complex, which supplies approximately one-fifth of the world's liquefied natural gas. In return, Qatar would unilaterally freeze its gas production. US officials reportedly learned of this offer through intercepted communications involving Iranian leaders.
While Iran did not provide a firm pledge, Doha believed an informal understanding might be reached. The Ras Laffan facility was shut down on the third day of the war, with Qatar attributing the closure to immediate military threats. Subsequently, in March, Iran reportedly struck the plant, damaging key infrastructure and reducing its liquefied gas output by 20 percent.
QatarEnergy confirmed the suspension of LNG production following an Iranian drone attack but has vehemently denied any political motives or coordination with Iran. A senior Qatari official dismissed claims of a political move as an attempt to create division between Qatar and the US, calling such reports malicious and an effort to sabotage mediation efforts.