US reportedly approved secret arrangement between Doha and Tehran during Hormuz crisis, securing safe passage for Qatari oil in exchange for billions of dollars sent to Iran.By World Israel News StaffThe Trump administration secretly approved a financial and maritime arrangement between Qatar and Iran that allowed billions of dollars to reach Tehran in exchange for safe passage for Qatari vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, Israel Hayom reported Monday, citing three diplomatic officials.According to the report, Washington authorized Doha to transfer funds to Tehran while the US publicly maintained that its naval blockade was choking off Iranian trade. The arrangement was intended to protect Qatari shipping, stabilize global energy markets and help lower oil prices during the war with Iran.Some of the payments were reportedly presented as fees for tanker passage through Hormuz, while Qatar also opened a credit line of up to $1 billion for Iranian purchases of goods through Doha. The report said Iran had demanded access to part of its deposits held in Qatar.The alleged arrangement was approved about a month ago, according to the report, as Qatar sought to protect its energy facilities and shipping routes from renewed Iranian attacks.Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial complex, one of the world’s most important liquefied natural gas hubs, was disrupted early in the war, raising concerns in Doha over the vulnerability of its energy exports.The Washington Post reported last week that US officials were aware of Qatari outreach to Iran aimed at protecting Qatar’s gas infrastructure, even though such contacts could be seen as undermining US and Israeli military pressure on Tehran.The report said Qatar continued to play a role in Iran talks after Pakistan became the lead mediator.Israel Hayom said the Qatari-Iranian channel became part of the broader diplomatic path that led to the US-Iran memorandum of understanding expected to be formally signed this week.During a visit to Doha by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, direct calls were held with US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, according to the report.The report also said the arrangement contributed to sharp disputes inside the Trump administration over Iran’s access to money and the future of its nuclear program.Officials in Israel have expressed concern that a deal could give Tehran financial relief while leaving core parts of its nuclear and missile infrastructure intact.The White House has not publicly confirmed the alleged Qatar-Iran payment arrangement. Trump and senior officials have instead argued that any economic benefits for Iran under the emerging agreement would be conditional on Tehran meeting its obligations.Vice President JD Vance denied Monday that Iran would immediately receive access to billions of dollars in assets under the deal.“When people say that billions of dollars of assets will be released, that’s not true,” Vance said on CBS. “What is true is that Iran will have a much better and much more prosperous future if they meet the obligations they make in this agreement.”Vance also said Iran could eventually gain access to a large reconstruction fund if it complies with the agreement. Asked about reports that Tehran could access a $300 billion fund, he said, “That’s the sort of things they could have access to, so long as they honor their end of the obligation.”Reuters reported Tuesday that the US-Iran framework includes a proposed $300 billion private investment fund for Iran, with more than half of the amount already committed, according to a source familiar with the plan. The fund would not include US government money and would only become operational after a final agreement is signed.“It’ll only be created once the final deal is signed,” the source told Reuters. “During these 60 days the fund administrators will work with Iranians and investors to plan and scope projects.”The memorandum remains closely guarded, creating confusion among US lawmakers, allies and critics over what has been agreed to.The White House has circulated talking points saying Trump achieved his goals in the Iran war, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon, but many details of the agreement have not been released.Asked Tuesday why the agreement had not yet been made public, Trump said he wanted a formal setting first.“I’ll not only release it,” Trump said. “I’ll probably have a press conference and read it to you word by word, so that the press covers it accurately.”The post Trump allowed Qatar to secretly funnel billions to Iran – report appeared first on World Israel News.