> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://newsanek.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Iran exempts ships from India, China, Iraq and Qatar from Strait of Hormuz curbs - URL: https://newsanek.com/iran-exempts-indian-ships-hormuz-restrictions/ - Published: 2026-11-06T10:31:44.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-06T11:20:14.000Z - Description: Iran says ships from India, China, Iraq and Qatar can pass the Strait of Hormuz freely. India still depends on this waterway for much of its LPG and LNG imports, and ship attacks have continued. - Author: Kumar Ujjwal - Tags: World, UPSC Today, GS Paper 2, Explainer, #sub-international, #national-desk Iran has exempted ships from India, China, Iraq and Qatar from its restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz. Ahmad Hayat-Moghaddam, vice-chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, made the claim in an interview. WION reported the announcement on November 4, 2026. The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway. ![The Strait of Hormuz connects the Gulf of Oman with the Persian Gulf](https://newsanek.com/content/images/2026/11/iran-exempts-indian-ships-hormuz-restrictions-67d807.jpg) Representative photo: The Strait of Hormuz connects the Gulf of Oman with the Persian Gulf. Photo: NASA / [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AThe%5FStrait%5Fof%5FHormuz%5Fconnects%5Fthe%5FGulf%5Fof%5FOman%5Fwith%5Fthe%5FPersian%5FGulf.jpg?ref=newsanek.com), Public domain Iran says ships from these four countries can sail through it freely, and the United States is not stopping them either. The announcement came amid repeated attacks on vessels in and around the strait. These attacks led New Delhi to call for an end to attacks on commercial shipping. ### Key points - Iran says ships from India, China, Iraq and Qatar can pass freely. - Iran says India's exemption is meant to help medicine imports. - Iran says it collects transit fees from Indian and Chinese vessels. - The IMO counted at least 70 attacks on merchant ships from February to August. ## Why did Iran grant these exemptions? Hayat-Moghaddam said India received the exemption to help import medicines. He said China's exemption was linked to political support and economic ties. He also said Iran collects transit fees from Indian and Chinese ships. Qatari ships pass without charges, he said. He did not say whether Iraqi ships pay fees. ## Why does this matter for India? India buys about 90% of its crude oil from abroad. About 30% of these imports now pass through the strait. The share was 70% earlier. India has spread its crude buying to Russia, the US, West Africa and Fujairah in the UAE. But 90% of its LPG imports still pass through the strait. More than 50% of its LNG imports from Qatar and the UAE also arrive that way. Fertiliser imports also depend on this route. India's energy imports via Hormuz Crude imports via strait, earlier70% Crude imports via strait, now30% LPG imports via strait90% LNG imports from Qatar and UAEMore than 50% % Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report ## What is the wider situation at sea? The International Maritime Organization (IMO) counted at least 70 attacks on merchant ships from February to August. These attacks killed 19 seafarers. Fifteen of the 24 Indians killed so far in the West Asia conflict were seafarers. Senior Iranian leaders are reportedly urging the military to consider a Qatari-brokered proposal. Al Arabiya reported that the aim is to prevent a renewed conflict with the United States. Explainer ### What happened before - According to the International Maritime Organization, attacks on merchant ships were recorded from February to August during the conflict. - At least 70 attacks on merchant ships were counted in that period, and 19 seafarers died in them. - India now gets about 30% of its crude imports through the Strait of Hormuz, down from 70%, after it diversified its supplies. ### Why it matters Ninety percent of India's LPG imports still pass through the strait, and fertiliser supplies also depend on it. Exam Corner **UPSC GS Paper 2** ยท IR: Strait of Hormuz shipping ### What's the news Iran says it has exempted ships from India, China, Iraq and Qatar from its transit restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz. ### Background - The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic waterway, and India now gets about 30% of its crude imports through it. - The International Maritime Organization counted at least 70 attacks on merchant ships from February to August. - India diversified crude supplies to Russia, the US, West Africa and Fujairah in the UAE after the West Asia conflict began. ### Facts for Prelims - The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic waterway in West Asia - The International Maritime Organization (IMO) counted attacks on merchant ships - About 90% of India's LPG imports still transit the Strait of Hormuz ### Content for Mains 1. **Significance:** Energy, LPG and fertiliser supplies depend on safe passage through the strait. 2. **Main issue:** Selective exemptions raise questions about freedom of navigation in international waterways. 3. **Challenges:** Repeated attacks on vessels have killed seafarers and disrupted shipping in the region. 4. **Way forward:** Diversifying supply routes and securing safe navigation can reduce India's exposure to risk. **Practice question:** Discuss how conflicts in West Asia affect India's energy security and the principle of freedom of navigation. ### Prelims practice questions **Q1.** According to the IMO, how many attacks on merchant ships were recorded from February to August? 1. 19 2. 24 3. 50 4. 70 Show answer **Answer: D.** The article says the IMO counted at least 70 attacks on merchant ships in that period. **Q2.** Which country was NOT named in Iran's exemption from Strait of Hormuz restrictions? 1. India 2. China 3. Iraq 4. Russia Show answer **Answer: D.** The exemption covered India, China, Iraq and Qatar. Russia is named only as a crude supplier to India. ### Key terms - **Strait of Hormuz**: A narrow waterway in West Asia that ships use to move oil and gas. - **Transit fee**: A charge paid for passing through a waterway or route. - **LNG**: Liquefied natural gas, which is natural gas cooled into liquid form for shipping. More stories for exam preparation: [UPSC Today](https://newsanek.com/upsc-today/) These points come from this news report. Check them with standard sources such as NCERT books and PIB before your exam. --- ### Sources - [WION: Iran exempts ships from India, China, Iraq, and Qatar from Strait of Hormuz restrictions](https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-exempts-ships-from-india-china-iraq-and-qatar-from-strait-of-hormuz-restrictions-1793798008693?ref=newsanek.com)