First sanctions, now US strikes: What happens to Chabahar port?

US military strikes damaged a maritime control tower at Iran’s strategically important Chabahar Port.

About Chabahar Port

• Chabahar Port is located at the mouth of the Gulf of Oman in Iran’s southeastern Sistan-Balochistan province.
• It lies close to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, which has been developed with Chinese support.
• Chabahar is Iran’s only oceanic port and its first deep-water port, providing direct access to the Indian Ocean and global maritime trade routes.
• The port is strategically important for India as it provides connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan.

India’s Stake in Chabahar

• A 10-year agreement was signed in 2024, with about $120 million investment planned.
• The port gives India access to Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan.
• Chabahar supports the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
• It serves as a counterweight to China-backed Gwadar Port, around 140 km away.
• For Iran, it provides direct access to the Indian Ocean and links landlocked Central Asia with global trade routes.

US Sanctions Concern

• US sanctions on Iran have repeatedly affected the project.
• An earlier waiver for humanitarian and economic activities in Afghanistan expired in April 2026.
• Without a fresh waiver, India risks losing operational control and facing financial restrictions.

Present Status

• India clarified that its operated terminal was not damaged in the strikes.
• However, future investment and expansion remain uncertain.
• Chabahar received no allocation in India’s Union Budget 2026–27, raising concerns over policy continuity.

Chabahar is vital for India’s connectivity and strategic outreach, but sanctions and regional conflict have placed its future in doubt.