India Secures Extension Of US Sanctions Waiver For Iran's Chabahar Port Till Early Next Year

Last Updated:October 30, 2025, 08:46 IST

The extension comes as a relief for India, which has been using Chabahar Port to send humanitarian aid and essential supplies to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan

In 2024, India had signed a 10-year contract with Iran to operate the Shahid Beheshti Terminal, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the project. (AFP)

India has secured an extension of the United States’ sanctions waiver for operations at Iran’s strategic Chabahar Port till the early part of next year, ensuring continuity for one of New Delhi’s most important regional connectivity projects, government sources told CNN-News18.

The waiver, which had expired on Tuesday, allows India to continue developing and operating the Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar through its public sector firm India Ports Global Limited (IPGL). The US had earlier set September 29 as the deadline for revoking waivers on sanctions linked to the Iranian port.

The extension comes as a relief for India, which has been using Chabahar Port to send humanitarian aid and essential supplies to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan. The port is also seen as a critical link to Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, offering them direct access to the Indian Ocean.

In 2024, India had signed a 10-year contract with Iran to operate the Shahid Beheshti Terminal, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the project. Under the agreement, IPGL manages port operations and infrastructure development, while promoting trade routes that connect the region through sea and land.

The Chabahar Port holds significant geopolitical and economic importance for India. It serves as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia, reducing dependence on routes through Pakistan. The port is also being integrated with the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)—a multimodal trade route linking India, Iran, Russia, and other Central Asian states.

The US sanctions on Iran, primarily targeting its energy and banking sectors, have complicated foreign investments in Iranian infrastructure. In a statement issued by the office of the spokesperson of the US Department of State on September 16, Washington said the revocation was 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.

However, since 2018, the Chabahar project has repeatedly received waivers, recognising its strategic and humanitarian value.

India has expressed confidence that the waiver extension will help it deepen trade and connectivity with Central Asia, while also balancing its strategic relations with both Washington and Tehran.

Siddhant Mishra

Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively on crime, ...Read More

Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively on crime, ...

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