India, Nov. 4 -- Iran has exempted ships from India, China, Iraq and Qatar from restrictions on passage through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, potentially easing maritime movement for these countries amid the continuing regional conflict.

The arrangement was disclosed by Amir Hayat Moqaddam, deputy chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, in an interview with the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) on Tuesday.

The exemption comes as the strategic waterway remains caught up in tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

Tehran appears to be using access to the strait as a means of strengthening economic and diplomatic ties with selected countries, while restrictions ...