Pakistani tanker attacked in Hormuz despite Iran's permission

Bangla Press Desk: A Qatari gas tanker, the 'Al Mayeda', has come under attack in the Persian Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel, which was transporting gas to Pakistan, had received permission from Iran to transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The fact that it was attacked despite this authorization has raised new questions.

According to a report by the American news outlet Bloomberg, the tanker was en route to Pakistan, carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar. To ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, Pakistan had proactively coordinated with Iranian officials through diplomatic channels to secure permission.

Citing relevant sources, the report states that Tehran had given the 'green light' for the tanker to pass through the Strait of Hormuz just hours before the incident. Despite this, the vessel was attacked, subsequently altering its course and heading back in the opposite direction.

On Saturday, Qatar’s state-owned gas supplier confirmed that one of its tankers had been attacked in the Persian Gulf. Although Qatari-owned, the vessel was sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands. A source familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the tanker had departed from Qatar, bound for Pakistan.

India’s Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, stated that there were 25 crew members on board at the time of the attack, including six Indian nationals. He confirmed that all crew members are safe, though he did not provide details regarding the nature of the attack or the extent of any damage.

The Bloomberg report notes that Pakistani authorities had coordinated with Iran in advance to ensure the vessel's safe passage. It remains unclear why the tanker was attacked despite this coordination. Furthermore, there is no definitive information regarding who was behind the attack or the specific circumstances under which it occurred.

The report adds that, just last month, Pakistan had successfully facilitated the transit of several gas tankers arriving from Qatar through the Strait of Hormuz and into the Gulf of Oman, in coordination with Iran. Consequently, the fact that this tanker was attacked—despite having received official permission—is particularly significant. So far, there has been no official comment from the governments of Pakistan or Iran regarding this matter. The energy ministries of both countries have also remained silent on the incident.
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