NEW DELHI, Nov. 4 -- Iran has exempted merchant vessels from India, China, Iraq and Qatar from restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy corridor, with a senior Iranian lawmaker saying the decision was intended to protect Tehran's economic and diplomatic interests amid its continuing conflict with the United States.
Amir Hayat-Moghaddam, deputy chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said vessels belonging to the four countries would be permitted to navigate the strategic waterway despite restrictions imposed on other commercial shipping. Speaking to the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) on Tuesday, the lawmaker said the exemptions reflected Iran's specific interests in maintaining trade and political cooperation with the countries concerned. He also claimed that American forces were not intercepting vessels from the four countries. There was no immediate independent confirmation of that assertion. The announcement assumes particular significance for India, which imports nearly 90 per cent of its crude oil requirements and relies on maritime routes through West Asia for a substantial share of its energy supplies.
Explaining the decision, Hayat-Moghaddam said Iran had granted Indian vessels preferential passage to facilitate the import of pharmaceutical products and medicines from India.
The exemption for Chinese shipping, meanwhile, was linked to Tehran's efforts to secure political support from Beijing during the continuing confrontation with Washington.
The lawmaker said the arrangements were based on mutual interests rather than a uniform policy towards all countries.
However, he clarified that vessels from India and China would continue to pay transit fees despite being exempted from the broader restrictions.
Qatari vessels would be allowed to pass without paying charges, while the lawmaker did not specify whether Iraqi ships would be subject to similar fees.
The distinction indicates that Tehran is maintaining separate arrangements with individual countries, taking into account their economic and diplomatic relationships with Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz, situated between Iran and Oman, connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is among the world's most strategically important maritime passages, carrying substantial volumes of crude oil, petroleum products and liquefied natural gas.
For India, the waterway remains critical to energy security despite efforts to diversify crude oil imports.
Nearly 30 per cent of India's current crude imports pass through the strait, compared with approximately 70 per cent before the West Asia conflict prompted changes in procurement patterns.
India has reduced its dependence on the route by increasing purchases from Russia, the United States, West Africa and Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.
Nevertheless, restrictions on commercial shipping through Hormuz continue to pose risks to energy transportation, freight costs and supply chains.
The latest exemption could provide some relief to Indian shipping interests, although it does not eliminate the broader security risks associated with navigating a conflict-affected maritime corridor
The announcement comes against the backdrop of continuing hostilities involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
The conflict began on February 28, 2026, when the US and Israel launched military operations against Iran. Although a ceasefire was reached in April, fighting resumed in July after diplomatic efforts failed to produce a lasting settlement.
Since then, the Strait of Hormuz has remained a focal point of tensions, with restrictions on shipping and concerns over attacks on commercial vessels disrupting maritime traffic.
The uncertainty has affected energy markets because of the waterway's importance to oil and gas exports from Gulf countries.
Shipping companies operating in the region have also faced heightened security concerns, complicating decisions on vessel movements and insurance coverage.
Iran's decision to exempt selected countries comes as Tehran seeks to preserve essential trade relationships while maintaining pressure on other shipping movements through the strait.
Although Indian ships have been granted an exemption from transit restrictions, the Iranian lawmaker made it clear that the arrangement would not amount to free passage.
Indian and Chinese vessels would remain liable for transit charges, while Qatar would receive more favourable treatment through a waiver of those fees.
The financial arrangements were not explained in detail, and no information was provided about the amount being charged or the mechanism for collecting payments.
There was also no immediate clarification from Indian authorities on the operational implications of Tehran's announcement.
The lawmaker's statement did not establish that every Indian vessel would automatically receive clearance or that passage through the strait would be free of security risks.
For New Delhi, the development comes at a time when maintaining uninterrupted energy imports and protecting Indian seafarers remain important concerns amid the prolonged conflict in West Asia.
The announcement reflects Iran's willingness to differentiate between trading partners as it manages access to one of the world's busiest energy corridors, while the wider maritime security situation remains uncertain.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.