'If You Don't Attack, We'll Stop Gas Production': Qatar Suspected of 'Backroom Deal' with Iran

The Washington Post (WP) reported that Qatar attempted to make a "secret deal" with Iran early in the war to protect its liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities from Iranian attacks.

According to the report, when the war with Iran began in late February following attacks by the United States and Israel, Qatar contacted Iran and offered to voluntarily halt its own gas production on the condition that Iran would not attack the Ras Laffan LNG production facility.

Throughout this war, Iran has employed a strategy of driving up international energy prices by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which handles one-fifth of the world's maritime energy transport, and striking key energy facilities of Middle Eastern oil-producing nations.

This was aimed at pressuring the U.S. and Israel to end the war early, given that a surge in global energy prices would deal a major blow to the economies of various countries, including the United States.

Qatar's Ras Laffan is the world's largest LNG production hub, accounting for about one-fifth of the global gas supply.

From Qatar's perspective, it was in a position where it had to protect a core asset of its national economy.

Middle East security officials reportedly believe that Qatar was effectively seeking a "secret agreement," conveying a message to Iran to the effect of, "Even if you do not attack us, your desired strategic effect can still be achieved."

Qatar's attempt was reportedly detected through intelligence analysis, including communications intercepts.

However, Qatar reportedly did not receive a clear response from Iran regarding the proposal.

Nevertheless, considering the circumstances that unfolded afterward, the WP reported that there may have been a certain level of tacit understanding between the two sides.

In fact, Qatar suspended operations at the Ras Laffan facility on the third day of the war.

At the time, Qatar explained this as a "measure due to the risk of military attacks," but the WP reported that satellite imagery analysis showed no signs of direct damage to the facility.

Qatar is completely denying the allegations.

The Qatari government told the WP that the suspension of Ras Laffan was entirely a decision to ensure facility safety and protect personnel, stating, "The claim that we conspired with Iran for Iran's benefit or to influence the course of the war is absolutely not true."

Despite Qatar's behind-the-scenes efforts to contact Iran, Ras Laffan did not escape Iranian attacks.

After its own largest gas field, South Pars, suffered severe damage from Israeli airstrikes, Iran launched missiles at Ras Laffan on March 18 in retaliation, damaging some facilities and sending shockwaves through the international energy market.

At the time, Qatar announced that repairing the damage "will take three to five years."

Iran has continuously attacked Gulf nations, such as Qatar, that provide military bases to the United States during this war.

Qatar argued that the allegations of a backroom deal with Iran are an attempt to undermine its efforts to mediate an end to the war and shake its strategic cooperative relationship with the United States.

U.S. officials were reportedly aware of Qatar's contact with Iran, but it did not cause an immediate rift in their mutual relations.

Qatar has maintained close ties with both the United States and Iran, and is evaluated to have contributed to the progress of peace talks between the two countries through active mediation during this war.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.