Tehran: The Iranian government has reiterated that Indian shipping vessels are exempt from restrictions imposed on transit through the Strait of Hormuz, allowing them to navigate the strategic waterway without limitations.
Ahmad Hayat-Moghaddam, vice-chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said exemptions had also been granted to vessels from China, Iraq and Qatar.
Speaking at a meeting reviewing economic and security conditions, Hayat-Moghaddam said: "Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, we have already 'pardoned' four countries. Right now, India, China, Iraq, and Qatar. They are free, meaning they are free from our point of view. The Americans also have no issues with them. They go back and forth through the Strait of Hormuz. Well, we are doing business, right? We have done this for the Indians so that we can import medicine, so we can import medicine. We have done this for the Chinese so that we can have political support from them, although we also take money from them. We also take money, I mean, we take their money."
Meanwhile, senior Iranian political leaders are reportedly urging the country's military leadership to consider a Qatari-mediated proposal to prevent a possible resumption of conflict with the United States.
According to Al Arabiya, internal assessments in Iran indicate that Tehran considers a renewed direct war with the US the most likely scenario. However, senior political figures have been advocating a diplomatic resolution.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have advised the country's military leadership to engage with a proposal submitted by Qatari mediators to halt the conflict, Al Arabiya reported, citing sources.
The report said Qatari envoys had recently travelled to Tehran with a limited mandate to obtain Iran's official response to the proposed framework, rather than conduct extended negotiations.
While political leaders are pushing for a diplomatic route, Iranian military strategists remain sceptical about the prospects for peace and reportedly view renewed confrontation with US forces as the most likely course.