Citing “five sources with knowledge of the matter,” Reuters published a report on May 12 that “both Iraq and Pakistan have cut deals with Iran to ship oil and liquefied natural gas from the Gulf … in a demonstration of Tehran’s ability to control energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.” The article specified that “Iraq secured safe passage for two very large crude carriers, each carrying about 2 million barrels of crude, that passed through the strait on Sunday.… Similarly, two tankers loaded with Qatari LNG are headed to Pakistan following a separate bilateral agreement between Islamabad and Tehran.”
There are reportedly more deals in the works with other countries. “Other countries are exploring similar deals, according to sources familiar with the discussions, as rising energy costs and supply disruptions weigh heavily, particularly on Asian economies. ‘As more governments become willing to cut deals with Iran for passage, it risks normalizing the idea that Iran will control the Strait of Hormuz on a more permanent basis,’ said Saul Kavonic, head of research at consultancy MST Marquee.”