Why is Iran exempting India, China, Qatar, Iraq from Hormuz restrictions?

What the report says

Iran has exempted vessels linked to India, China, Qatar and Iraq from restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz, according to a senior Iranian lawmaker quoted by Al Jazeera on 6 November 2026. Amir Hayat Moqaddam, deputy chair of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said ships from those countries can pass freely, even as the United States continues a naval blockade tied to the wider US-Israel war on Iran. The reported arrangement comes against the backdrop of Iran’s long-running sanctions pressure and the strategic importance of Hormuz, the main outlet for Gulf oil and gas shipments.

Al Jazeera reported that Tehran’s expected returns differ by country: medicine from India, political backing from China, mediation support from Qatar, and transit revenue from Indian and Chinese vessels. Analysts quoted by the outlet said the move may be aimed at generating income, easing access to needed goods and services, and creating political leverage, but they also warned it could carry risks if Washington challenges the exemptions or if the arrangement is interpreted inconsistently.

The article said the four countries depend heavily on Hormuz for energy and trade flows, especially China and India. It also noted that some exemptions are not entirely new, with Iran having previously allowed certain friendly vessels through and exempted Iraq earlier in 2026. However, it remains unclear how the US blockade would apply in practice, and whether the exemptions would cover ships by flag, ownership or route. Al Jazeera said the development matters because it could affect regional shipping, Iran’s negotiations with the US, and the broader stability of oil markets.