Iran exempts Indian and Chinese ships from Hormuz transit restrictions
The exemptions for vessels from India, China, Iraq and Qatar are based on specific economic and strategic considerations, according to an Iranian official.
Iran has exempted commercial ships from India, China, Iraq and Qatar from transit restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Indian Express. Amir Hayat Moghadam, Deputy Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, announced the decision on Tuesday in an interview with the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA).
Moghadam stated that ships from these four countries can pass through the waterway freely and are not intercepted by Americans. He noted that the exemptions are based on specific considerations and mutual interests, adding that Iran does not levy transit charges on Qatari vessels.
The official explained that the exemption for Indian ships was intended to facilitate the import of medicines from New Delhi. For China, the exemption was aimed at securing political support from Beijing.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has faced severe disruption since February 28, following joint US and Israeli attacks on Iran. Iran moved to shut the waterway after the strikes, and the US later announced a naval blockade for ships moving to or from Iranian ports.
The region remains volatile, with at least 15 Indian seafarers killed in attacks on ships since the conflict began in February. In the latest incident on Monday evening, an Indian sailor was killed during an attack on the commercial vessel MSV Al Jusufi near Limah in Oman.
India has described the attacks on commercial shipping as deeply concerning and has called for the restoration of free and unimpeded navigation through international waterways in accordance with international law.
