Iran cleared Pakistan LNG vessel hours before Hormuz fire

Iran cleared Pakistan LNG vessel hours before Hormuz fire

People with direct knowledge say Islamabad had secured Iranian clearance for the Marshall Islands-flagged Al Mayeda, loaded with Qatar LNG, only hours before Friday’s incident.

The Marshall Islands-flagged LNG carrier Al Mayeda came under fire near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday while sailing toward the waterway.

The vessel was loaded with liquefied natural gas from Qatar and bound in connection with Pakistan’s LNG supply.

Pakistan had negotiated with Iran to secure safe passage for the ship before the attack, according to people with direct knowledge.

Iranian authorities were understood to have given a green light only hours earlier, those people said.

The account comes from people who asked not to be named because they are not authorised to speak publicly.