The United States has granted India a six-month exemption from sanctions related to its operations at Iran’s Chabahar Port, allowing New Delhi to continue its crucial infrastructure and connectivity projects in the region.
The decision marks a temporary relief after Washington last month announced plans to revoke the sanction waiver originally granted in 2018 under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act (IFCA). The exemption had enabled India to invest and operate in the port despite broader U.S. sanctions on Iran.
According to diplomatic sources, the renewed waiver was issued following high-level discussions between Indian and U.S. officials, where New Delhi highlighted Chabahar’s strategic importance for regional trade and humanitarian access — particularly as a gateway for India’s development assistance to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
The Chabahar Port, jointly developed by India and Iran, is seen as a critical alternative trade corridor that bypasses Pakistan and strengthens India’s outreach to landlocked Afghanistan. It is also central to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), connecting India with Russia and Europe via Iran.
U.S. officials emphasized that the waiver was granted in recognition of Chabahar’s “humanitarian and developmental role” and its contribution to stability in Afghanistan, rather than as a broader relaxation of sanctions on Iran.
Indian officials welcomed the extension, noting that the waiver will ensure uninterrupted port operations, facilitate ongoing infrastructure upgrades, and support the flow of goods and aid through the strategic trade route.
Analysts view the move as a pragmatic diplomatic balancing act, allowing Washington to maintain pressure on Tehran while accommodating India’s regional security and economic interests.
The six-month exemption is expected to be reviewed in mid-2026, depending on the evolving U.S.-Iran relations and India’s continued adherence to the port’s non-military and developmental objectives.
