Iran's Revolutionary Guards halted two Qatar liquefied natural gas tankers that had been cleared to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, instructing them to hold position off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Ship tracking data showed the vessels had been heading toward the strategic waterway before turning back and changing their listed destinations.

The stoppage came despite a reported agreement reached last week between Iran and the United States through mediation by Pakistan, under which certain tankers were to be allowed safe passage. The two vessels would have been the first liquefied natural gas carriers to transit the strait since the outbreak of fighting between Iran, the United States, and Israel in late February.

The conflict has severely disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor that carries roughly one fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Iranian attacks have also damaged Qatar’s export infrastructure, cutting a significant portion of its production capacity for several years. Qatar is the world’s second largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, with most shipments destined for Asian markets.