WASHINGTON (PPI): The Trump administration has taken another tough step against India by deciding to withdraw its waiver on sanctions linked to Iran’s Chabahar Port.
This move, which ends a special exemption given to India in 2018, will take effect in about ten days.
The United States had granted a special sanctions waiver for Iran’s Chabahar Port in 2018 under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act (IFCA). This allowed India and other countries to develop and use the port without facing any US restrictions. The waiver was meant to help Afghanistan’s reconstruction by enabling the transport of essential goods and also supported India’s plans to connect with Afghanistan and Central Asia without relying on Pakistan.
Now, the US has announced that this waiver will be cancelled from September 29, 2025. After this deadline, anyone operating or funding activities at Chabahar Port will face US sanctions under IFCA.
Chabahar is a deep-water port in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province. It is the closest Iranian port to India and lies in the open sea, making it safe and accessible for large ships.
Although the US decision mainly targets Iran, the decision directly impacts India too. This is because India has been working with Iran to develop the Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar, which plays a key role in its plans to reach Afghanistan and Central Asia without depending on Pakistan.
This comes as a blow to India’s strategy, especially since the port is located near Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, which has been developed by China.
