A Qatari gas tanker crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday (May 10th) and reached the Gulf of Oman, in the first Qatari export operation through the sea lane since the outbreak of the US-Iran war in February 2026, the Iranian news agency ISNA reported.
The data showed that the tanker, named "Al-Kharaitiyat", left the gas-laden Ras Laffan facility and took the northern route along the Iranian coast, before disappearing for 14 hours and then reappearing in the Gulf of Oman, amid the possibility that Pakistan would be its final destination, according to Bloomberg.
Previous Qatari attempts. Iranian objections
The crossing follows previous Qatari attempts to send shipments through Hormuz, but the tankers were eventually turned back.
A bulk cargo vessel reported on Sunday that it was hit by an unidentified projectile 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha, causing a limited fire that was brought under control with no injuries or environmental impact, according to the UKMTO, which called on ships in the area to cross with caution and report any suspicious activity.
The Qatari Ministry of Defense also reported in a statement that a commercial cargo ship northeast of Mesaieed Port, coming from Abu Dhabi, was targeted by a drone, causing a limited fire in the ship, without any injuries.
Closure of Qatari Gas Main Corridor
Qatar's LNG exports through the Strait of Hormuz have witnessed a sharp decline since the outbreak of the war in February 2026, after the strait represented the main corridor for about 93% of Qatar's exports, i.e. more than 110 billion cubic meters per year.
Exports collapsed by 88.8% in March alone, falling from 7.25 million tonnes to just 815,000 tonnes, while destinations were limited to four countries: India, Kuwait, Pakistan, and China.
The suspension of tanker movement has led to the loss of about 5 million tons per month of supplies to the global market, and in light of this paralysis, the crossing of the Qatari gas tanker "Al-Kharaitiyat" is the first recorded passage since the outbreak of the war, in a move that reflects the existence of limited security arrangements, but does not change the fact that the Strait of Hormuz is operating at its lowest capacity in its modern history, with a direct impact on global energy security.
Energy experts believe that the crossing of the "Kharitiyat" carries important geopolitical and economic connotations, most notably the existence of unannounced security understandings that allowed the passage of the tanker.
Iran tightens noose in strait
Iran has recently escalated its threats in the strait, with Iranian military spokesman Mohammad Akraminia saying on Sunday that ships of countries complying with US sanctions imposed on Iran will face difficulties in crossing the Strait of Hormuz from now on, Tasnim news agency reported.
"If the enemy attacks Iran again, it will be surprised with new weapons, new methods of warfare and new battlefields," Nia added.
The head of the National Security Committee in the Iranian parliament, Ebrahim Azizi, also warned via "X" that small countries are taking sides with the U.S.-backed resolution, which brings dire consequences, which could close the strait to them forever.
After receiving about 150 ships a day, the number has dropped to only 4-5 ships per day, most of which are "non-hostile" ships according to the Iranian classification, and UN reports indicate that about 2,000 ships are still stuck in the Gulf, unable to cross due to security threats.
An analysis of ship-tracking data by Al Jazeera showed that the strait had not completely stopped despite the closure, with only 202 flights recorded between March and mid-April, a small number compared to normal traffic.
Relentless Quest to Open the Strait
Washington is moving toward a new strategy that prioritizes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, with talks on nuclear and missile programs second.
Trump said the U.S. could return to Project Freedom Plus, a plan to provide military aid to ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, if diplomatic progress is not made, Bloomberg reported.
Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser said on Sunday that the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will not provide a quick solution, but rather needs months for oil markets to regain their balance, as the closure of the waterway for more than two months has led to serious disruptions in the economy, oil, and global market prices.