Iran Eases Hormuz Transit Curbs for Indian Ships.

Exemption for India, China, Iraq and Qatar could strengthen energy supply routes and ease concerns over oil and gas imports.   Iran has exempted ships from India, China, Iraq and Qatar from transit restrictions in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, potentially easing concerns over India's energy supplies. Amir Hayat Moqaddam, deputy chairman of Iran's parliamentary national security and foreign policy committee, confirmed the exemptions in an interview with the Iranian Students' News Agency. He said the decision reflected shared interests, including India's role in supplying medicines to Iran and China's political support. Moqaddam stated that Iran had collected transit fees from Indian and Chinese vessels, while Qatari ships were allowed to pass free of charge. However, the fee arrangements for Iraqi vessels remained unclear. According to people familiar with the matter, India did not pay transit fees for ships cleared through negotiations led by its Ministry of External Affairs. Between March and June, New Delhi held intensive discussions with Tehran to secure safe passage for India-bound energy shipments. Freedom of navigation through Hormuz has also featured prominently in high-level India-Iran diplomatic engagements.