India has reportedly secured an extension of the United States’ sanctions waiver for operations at Iran’s strategic Chabahar Port till the early part of next year
India has reportedly secured an extension of the United States’ sanctions waiver for operations at Iran’s strategic
Chabahar Port till the early part of next year. The move would ensure continuity for one of New Delhi’s most important regional connectivity projects. A source close to the matter told CNN-News18 about the latest extension.
The extension came after the waiver expired on Tuesday, and will allow India to continue developing and operating the
Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar through its public sector firm India Ports Global Limited (IPGL), CNN-News18 reported. Before this, the US had set September 29 as the deadline for revoking waivers on sanctions linked to the Iranian port.
The extension came as a relief for India, which has been using the Chabahar Port to send humanitarian aid and essential supplies to Afghanistan. The network has been crucial because India uses the port to connect to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
Why it matters
The port also provides Central Asian countries, such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, with direct access to the
Indian Ocean. In 2024, India signed a 10-year contract with Iran to operate the Shahid Beheshti Terminal, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the project.
As per the agreement, IPGL manages port operations and infrastructure development. It is also responsible for promoting trade routes that connect the region through sea and land. The Chabahar Port has geopolitical and economic importance for India. It serves as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia and majorly reduces dependence on trade routes through Pakistan.
Not only this, the port is being integrated with the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)—a multimodal trade route linking India, Iran, Russia, and other Central Asian states.
The American sanctions on Iran target the country’s energy and banking sectors, complicating foreign investments in Iranian infrastructure. In a statement issued by the office of the spokesperson of the US Department of State on September 16, the United States said that the sanctions are consistent with President Trump’s maximum pressure policy to isolate the Iranian regime, warning that those who continue operating at Chabahar or engage in related activities would risk exposure to sanctions.
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