In a significant diplomatic move, the United States has granted India a six-month exemption from its sanctions regime on Iran, allowing New Delhi to continue operations at the strategically vital Chabahar Port. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the waiver, effective immediately, enables India to sustain developmental and operational activities despite ongoing U.S. restrictions on Tehran.
The Chabahar Port, located on Iran’s southeastern coast along the Gulf of Oman, serves as a crucial gateway for India to access Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. The port’s operations are key to India’s regional connectivity plans, trade logistics, and its broader strategic outreach to Eurasia. Officials described the waiver as a “diplomatic breakthrough,” reflecting Washington’s acknowledgment of India’s strategic interests and its balancing role in the Indo-Pacific. Analysts suggest that the decision signals renewed flexibility from the Trump administration amid rising global energy and trade uncertainties.
However, the reprieve remains temporary valid only for six months leaving open the question of long-term continuity. Indian firms engaged in port operations will still need to exercise caution to avoid inadvertent violations of U.S. sanctions laws. For New Delhi, the move provides critical breathing space to advance connectivity projects and maintain its presence in one of the most geopolitically sensitive corridors linking South Asia, Iran, and Central Asia.
