The ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is reshaping energy flows in the Gulf, with both Iraq and Pakistan reportedly reaching separate agreements with Tehran to secure the passage of oil and liquefied natural gas shipments through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
According to Reuters sources, the deals highlight Iran’s growing influence over one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
The conflict has severely disrupted exports from the Gulf region, which normally accounts for around 20 percent of global crude oil and LNG supplies. While Iran initially threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz completely, analysts now say Tehran has shifted strategy toward controlling and regulating access to the waterway instead. Experts describe the strait as no longer a neutral shipping lane but a corridor increasingly supervised by Iran.
Iraq, whose economy depends heavily on oil revenues that make up about 95 percent of its national budget, has been among the countries hardest hit by the disruptions.
Under a previously unreported arrangement with Tehran, Baghdad secured safe passage for two supertankers carrying nearly 2 million barrels of crude each through the strait on Sunday. Iraqi officials are now seeking Iranian approval for additional shipments to ensure the continuation of exports.
Sources said Iraq’s close political and economic ties with Iran played a key role in facilitating the arrangement, with Iraqi officials acknowledging that instability in Iraq’s economy would also negatively affect Iranian interests.
Tehran has reportedly asked Iraq to submit extensive documentation for each vessel, including ownership details, cargo specifications and shipping destinations, while Iranian naval forces oversee designated maritime routes.
Pakistan has also entered into a separate understanding with Iran to allow the transit of LNG cargoes from Qatar. Two LNG tankers are currently heading toward Pakistan following the agreement.
Islamabad, which previously received about 10 LNG cargoes monthly before the conflict, faces mounting pressure to secure energy supplies amid soaring summer electricity demand and rising fuel prices.
According to sources, neither Iraq nor Pakistan has made direct payments to Iran or to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for the passage arrangements.
Qatar was reportedly not directly involved in the negotiations, although Doha informed the United States before the LNG shipments departed for Pakistan. Meanwhile, other countries are said to be exploring similar deals with Tehran as global energy prices continue to surge.
The crisis has dramatically reduced shipping traffic through Hormuz, with vessel movements reportedly dropping to only about 5 percent of normal levels.
Since the war erupted in late February, Brent crude prices have surged by more than 50 percent, while LNG prices in Europe and Asia have risen between 35 and 50 percent.
Iran has also reportedly demanded sanctions relief, reparations and access to frozen assets as conditions for any future settlement, while the United States has rejected those demands, raising fears that Tehran’s tightening control over the strait could become a long-term geopolitical reality.
