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Iran will connect electric grid to Qatar in near future, Tehran's energy minister says - report

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • Iran plans to connect its electrical grid to Qatar in the near future, according to Tehran's Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi.
  • The energy minister stated that studies for the grid connection are in the final stages, with implementation set to begin soon.
  • This development follows a report that Qatar offered Iran a "secret deal" to protect its energy infrastructure from Iranian attacks, though Iran later struck Qatar's Ras Laffan gas complex.

Iran is set to connect its electrical grid with Qatar in the near future, announced Tehran's Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi. According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-affiliated Tasnim News Agency, Aliabadi stated that the studies for this connection are in their final stages, and the implementation phase will commence soon.

Aliabadi also indicated that Iran is exploring grid connections with other Gulf Cooperation Council countries. This announcement comes after a report by The Washington Post, which claimed Qatar had offered Iran a "secret deal" prior to military operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury on February 28. The purported deal involved Iran promising not to strike Qatar's energy infrastructure in exchange for Qatar's cooperation.

The connection between Iran and Qatar will begin soon - studies are in the final stage, and we are beginning the implementation phase.

— Abbas AliabadiIran's Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi announced the upcoming grid connection between Iran and Qatar.

However, Qatar's Ras Laffan gas complex was reportedly hit by an Iranian missile attack in March, causing significant damage. QatarEnergy CEO and Energy Minister Saad Sherida al-Kaabi stated at the time that the strikes resulted in an estimated $20 billion in lost annual revenue, impacting 17% of Qatar's LNG export capacity. Kaabi expressed disbelief that a "brotherly Muslim country" would launch such an attack during Ramadan.

I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that Qatar would be - Qatar and the region - ⁠in such an attack, especially from a brotherly Muslim country in the month of Ramadan, attacking us in this way.

— Saad Sherida al-KaabiQatarEnergy CEO Saad Sherida al-Kaabi expressed shock and dismay following the Iranian missile attack on the Ras Laffan gas complex.

Despite the attack, Qatar reportedly hosted an Iranian delegation in May to discuss the release of frozen funds. A diplomat told Agence-France Presse that Qatari negotiators were involved in "17 hours of intensive negotiations" in Tehran, aiming to "secure Gulf interests."

Earlier in the week, Aliabadi discussed concerns over electricity and water supply for the upcoming summer months, pledging to prioritize electricity for industries with established power plants. He also noted Iran's electricity production capacity during wartime.

Qatar played a role trying to secure Gulf interests.

— Dania ThaferInternational Forum Director Dania Thafer commented on Qatar's role in negotiations between the U.S. and Iran regarding frozen funds.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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