RAS LAFFAN — Qatar proposed a confidential arrangement to Iran prior to a war involving the United States and Israel. The proposal offered to halt natural gas production in exchange for an Iranian guarantee not to strike Qatari energy infrastructure.

Middle Eastern and Western officials stated this arrangement aimed to protect the Ras Laffan gas complex from Iranian attacks. Qatar did not receive confirmation from Iran regarding the proposed arrangement, and Iran launched a missile strike on the Ras Laffan gas complex in March 2026. An official stated regarding Qatar's message to Iran, "You will achieve your objectives without striking us."

Qatar closed the Ras Laffan gas plant in early March 2026. The country denied the existence of the proposed arrangement and stated the facility closure resulted exclusively from security and safety concerns. A Qatari official said the country urged Iran to refrain from attacking in general. Officials stated the offer to stop gas production was intended to raise global energy prices to increase pressure on the United States and Israel to stop the war.

Qatar's international media office stated, "Any suggestion that operational decisions relating to energy production were, or have ever been, made in coordination with Iran, for Iran's benefit, or to influence the course of the war is categorically false." A Qatari official also stated that negotiations of this nature with Iran would set a dangerous precedent. Iran conducted a second attack on Qatari energy infrastructure later in March 2026.