Iran Gives Special Passage to India, China and Two Other Countries Through the Strait of Hormuz
Iran has given India, China, Qatar and Iraq special permission to avoid strict restrictions on commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway is very important for Middle Eastern politics and global trade.
Tehran has said that ships from these four countries can now pass through the waterway without any restrictions. It has also been confirmed that US forces will not stop ships from these countries.
According to Iranian officials, the decision was made based on different strategic and economic interests. The main reason for giving India this special permission is to keep imports of life-saving medicines and medical supplies from the country running.
On the other hand, Iran has kept the route open for Chinese ships to maintain trade ties and political support from the major power.
Iranian official Hayat Moqaddam said Indian and Chinese ships will have to pay transit fees to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. However, Qatari ships will not have to pay any fees. The issue of fees for Iraqi ships has not yet been made clear.
Analysts say Iran’s move has created a new situation in international trade amid recent conflict and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s main routes for energy supplies.
Source: Al Jazeera
