The Iranian government today reiterated that Indian vessels are exempt from restrictions imposed on shipping through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Iranian lawmaker Ahmad Hayat-Moghaddam, Vice Chairman of the Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee said India, China, Iraq and Qatar have been granted exemptions and can navigate the waterway without restrictions.
Speaking at a meeting reviewing the country’s economic and security situation, Hayat-Moghaddam said the exemption for India was intended to facilitate the import of essential medicines, while China’s exemption was linked to broader political and economic interests.
Meanwhile, senior Iranian political leaders are reportedly urging the country’s military leadership to consider a diplomatic proposal brokered by Qatar, amid growing fears of a renewed military confrontation with the United States. According to media reports, Iran’s internal assessments suggest that a resumption of direct hostilities with Washington is now considered the most likely scenario. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have reportedly urged the military leadership to engage constructively with a proposal put forward by Qatari mediators to end the conflict. The report further states that Qatari envoys recently visited Tehran with a specific mandate to obtain Iran’s official response to the proposed framework, rather than engage in prolonged negotiations.
The developments come amid heightened regional tensions, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a critical flashpoint for global shipping, energy supplies and international trade.
