Report: U.S Assisted Tankers Through the Strait of Hormuz After Payments to Iran

Darwin, 31 May : Despite ongoing tensions with Iran, around a dozen oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers passed through the Strait of Hormuz last week. According to the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, some of these vessels received security assistance from the U.S. Navy during their transit.

The report, citing three unnamed diplomatic and intelligence sources, claimed that Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had approved the passage of these ships. In some cases, payments were allegedly made in exchange for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the report, most of the vessels were transporting oil and natural gas from Qatar. The primary destinations for these shipments were East Asian countries, particularly India and China. Energy exports were also being delivered to several European countries.

However, neither the United States, Qatar, nor Iran immediately issued any official comment regarding the claims made in the Israel Hayom report. As a result, the allegations concerning payments or special coordination could not be independently verified.

According to analysts, if such coordination did occur, it may indicate behind-the-scenes diplomatic and security arrangements aimed at keeping energy supplies flowing through the Strait of Hormuz. It also highlights the importance of energy security in the current geopolitical environment of the Middle East.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. A significant portion of oil and gas exports from major Middle Eastern producers reaches international markets through this passage. Following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran at the end of February, the IRGC imposed controls over the waterway. Since then, global energy prices have been rising.