Iran Exempts Four Nations From Strait of Hormuz Transit Restrictions

Iran has granted exemptions from transit restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels from India, China, Iraq, and Qatar.

Amir Hayat Moghadam, deputy chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, announced the measure during an interview with the Iranian Students' News Agency. Moghadam stated that vessels from the four selected nations are permitted to navigate the waterway freely and without American interception, explaining that the allowances reflect reciprocal interests. He specified that Indian transit rights are intended to facilitate medicine imports into Iran, while Chinese allowances are designed to preserve diplomatic support from Beijing.

Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which historically accounts for roughly 20 percent of global energy shipments, has experienced heavy disruption since late February following joint United States and Israeli strikes on Iranian facilities and retaliatory actions. Tehran imposed maritime controls across the passage, prompting a naval blockade of Iranian ports by United States forces.

Most commercial traffic has remained barred, subjected to screening, or charged transit fees by Iranian authorities. Maritime security risks in the waterway remain elevated; Iranian military authorities reported that four oil tankers deemed in violation of navigation rules exploded after striking naval mines. Attacks on regional shipping have claimed civilian lives, including at least 15 Indian seafarers since February, with a fatal strike killing an Indian crew member aboard the merchant vessel MSV Al Jusufi near Limah, Oman.