A Qatari liquefied natural gas cargo, the Al Areesh, bound for Pakistan successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first such shipment from Qatar in nearly three weeks. The vessel, loaded between July 4-6 at Ras Laffan, exited the strait on July 29 and is expected to reach Pakistan's Port Qasim by July 31.

This passage is significant as it's the first by a Qatar Energy-linked LNG carrier since July 11, when traffic in the strait was severely impacted following an attack on one of the company's tankers. The incident, blamed on Iran, disrupted shipping and rattled shipowners. Pakistan, which has played a mediating role in US-Iran talks and was awaiting Qatari supply, has particular interest in the resumption of these shipments.

The Al Areesh's transit occurred amidst renewed hostilities, with Iran firing missiles at a US base in Jordan and the US responding with strikes on Iranian targets. Iran's Fars news agency reported that a Qatari LNG carrier had crossed Hormuz with Tehran's permission. This event follows Iran's rejection of a proposal from Oman for joint management of the strait, indicating that de-escalation remains uncertain.