Iran has exempted vessels from India, China, Iraq and Qatar from restrictions on passage through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, offering potential relief to maritime trade from the four countries amid continuing regional tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
Amir Hayat Moqaddam, Deputy Chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, disclosed the exemptions in an interview with the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) on Tuesday.
“We have currently exempted India, China, Iraq and Qatar from transit restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz. Ships from these countries pass freely, and the Americans do not intercept them either,” he said, according to local media reports.
The exemptions appear to reflect Iran’s strategic economic and diplomatic interests in maintaining relations with selected countries, even as restrictions on other vessels remain in place.
According to reports in Iranian media, access to essential medicines is among the factors influencing Tehran’s decision. Facing difficulties in accessing international markets and financial channels due to sanctions and the ongoing conflict, Iran views India as a potential source of pharmaceutical products and medical supplies, given its established pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities.
China’s exemption, meanwhile, is understood to be linked to its importance as an economic and strategic partner. Tehran is seeking to secure Beijing’s continued diplomatic support at a time of mounting international pressure.
Strait of Hormuz: A Critical Lifeline for India
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, facilitating the movement of substantial volumes of crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas from Gulf-producing nations to global markets.
For India, the waterway is particularly important for energy security. Before the 2026 conflict, approximately 45 per cent of India’s crude oil imports and nearly 90 per cent of its imported LPG passed through the strait, according to the Union Petroleum Ministry.
India also depends significantly on the route for LNG supplies. The International Energy Agency estimates that nearly two-thirds of India’s LNG imports travelled through the Strait of Hormuz in 2025, primarily from Qatar and the UAE.
The strategic waterway has faced heightened disruption risks since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28, 2026, triggering a wider regional confrontation. Although a ceasefire was reached in April, hostilities between Washington and Tehran resumed in July following the breakdown of diplomatic efforts.
Implications for Indian Shipping
Iran’s announcement could provide some relief to Indian-flagged and India-linked shipping operations navigating the region, particularly at a time when vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz remain subject to geopolitical uncertainty.
However, the exemption does not necessarily indicate a complete normalisation of commercial shipping through the waterway. The extent of the relaxation, its operational conditions and its applicability to different categories of vessels remain important considerations for shipowners, operators, charterers and cargo interests.
For India, the development is significant not only from an energy security perspective but also for maintaining uninterrupted maritime trade, protecting seafarers and ensuring the continuity of supply chains across the Gulf region.