Iran grants free passage through Strait of Hormuz to vessels from India, China, Iraq and Qatar

Key facts

• Iran has exempted merchant vessels from India, China, Iraq and Qatar from restrictions on using the Strait of Hormuz, according to Amir Hayat-Moghaddam, deputy chairman of the Iranian parliament's national security and foreign policy committee.
• The exemption for Indian ships is aimed at facilitating the import of medicines from India, while the exemption for Chinese shipping is aimed at securing China's political support.
• Iran collects transit fees from Indian and Chinese vessels, while Qatari vessels are allowed to pass without charges; it was not specified whether Iraqi vessels pay transit fees.
• India imports almost 90% of its crude oil needs, with about 30% of these imports currently passing through the Strait of Hormuz, down from 70% earlier due to diversification towards Russia, the United States, West Africa and Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.
• About 90% of India's LPG imports and more than 50% of its LNG imports from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates transit the Strait of Hormuz, which is also crucial for India's fertiliser imports.
• The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, accounts for almost 25% of global sea-borne oil supplies originating in West Asian countries.
• According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), there were at least 70 attacks on merchant ships between the start of the West Asia conflict in February and August, killing 19 seafarers.
• Fifteen seafarers are among the 24 Indians killed so far in the West Asia conflict.