On July 26, 2026, commodities intelligence firm Kpler said that, due to the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and damage to several of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, the country's LNG exports are expected to fall below 27 million metric tons this year.
Qatar normally exports around 77 million metric tons of LNG annually and supplied nearly 20% of global LNG demand last year. More than 80% of Qatar's LNG exports are shipped to Asian markets, while the country accounts for approximately 4% of the European Union's natural gas and LNG imports.
According to the report, in March 2026, the Iranian regime attacked two liquefaction units at Qatar's Ras Laffan industrial complex. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that restoring these facilities could take three to five years. In addition, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has severely disrupted Qatar's LNG exports by blocking the Strait of Hormuz and attacking commercial shipping.
In a related development, Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, held a telephone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to discuss the regional situation.
According to a statement issued by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed stressed the importance of all parties adhering to dialogue and diplomacy and implementing the commitments contained in the U.S.–Iran memorandum of understanding. He emphasized that these commitments include guaranteeing freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in order to preserve regional security and protect recent diplomatic achievements.
Kpler also reported that, following the resumption of attacks by the Iranian regime on commercial vessels in waters south of Iran, war-risk insurance premiums have risen by another 1 percentage point, reaching 7.5% to 9% of a vessel's hull value. Before the Iranian regime blocked the Strait of Hormuz in early March 2026, war-risk insurance premiums were only about 1% of hull value.
According to the report, the Iranian regime has attacked dozens of commercial vessels in the waters south of Iran over recent months and has significantly intensified those attacks during the past two weeks.
Whereas 120 to 150 vessels previously transited the Strait of Hormuz each day before its closure, the average has fallen to approximately three vessels per day in recent days, highlighting the severe disruption to one of the world's most critical maritime trade routes.
