Key points
- India faces sanctions risk over port
- Trump wants return to Bagram base
- Bagram seen as check on China
ISLAMABAD: India’s strategic ambitions at Iran’s Chabahar Port face a major setback after Washington announced it will revoke New Delhi’s sanctions waiver from September 29. The decision, part of the US “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran, exposes India’s $120 million investment and long-term connectivity plans to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and beyond to possible penalties.
Breaking News :
Donald Trump sanctions India from accessing the Chabahar port in Iran.
India had the clearance since 2018
This is what happens when your foreign policy is based on Birthday wishes and Paid Burj Khalifa Advertisements.
Yesterday, Sanghis made Trump their…
— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) September 18, 2025
Previously, the waiver allowed India to continue its work on the port without facing penalties under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act (IFCA). Chabahar holds major strategic value for India as it offers access to Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan, reports Hindustan Times.
🚨 BIG BREAKING
US REVOKES 2018 sanctions waiver for 🇮🇳 India on Iran’s Chabahar Port.
From Sept 29, anyone OPERATING at Chabahar will FACE US Treasury sanctions.
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) September 18, 2025
In a 16 September statement, the US State Department said the move was “consistent with President Trump’s maximum pressure policy to isolate the Iranian regime.” It warned that “persons who operate the Chabahar Port or engage in other activities described in IFCA may expose themselves to sanctions under IFCA.”
India’s connectivity plans
The US claims the decision supports broader efforts to dismantle “illicit financial networks that sustain the Iranian regime and its military activities.”
Just IN: In a massive setback for India, US has imposed sanctions on India for its operations at Iran’s Chabahar Port.
— Earlier, Biden admin allowed India to operate Chabahar port to counter Gwadar port operated by China.
— South Asia Index (@SouthAsiaIndex) September 18, 2025
India now faces a dilemma. In May 2024, New Delhi signed a 10-year agreement with Iran to operate Chabahar Port, investing around $120 million, with plans to offer $250 million in credit for surrounding infrastructure. The port is a key part of India’s connectivity plans, including links to the International North-South Transport Corridor to Russia and Europe.
Breaking: America revokes 2018 sanctions waiver allowing India to develop Chabahar Port in Iran
Starting September 29, US Treasury sanctions will apply to persons operating Chabahar Port pic.twitter.com/9HADLuPVTO
— Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) September 18, 2025
Chabahar also helps counter China’s growing presence in the Arabian Sea, as it lies just 140km from Gwadar Port in Pakistan, managed by Beijing.
US return to Bagram air base
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has suggested the US may re-establish a presence at Afghanistan’s Bagram Air Base, four years after the American withdrawal. Speaking in the UK alongside Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump said, “We’re trying to get it back,” tying the move to the need to counter China.
The US wants to return to Afghanistan: We are trying to recapture Bagram Air Base, – Trump.
But maybe Trump also means Albania or Armenia. pic.twitter.com/25PM4SNWuj
— Jürgen Nauditt 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@jurgen_nauditt) September 18, 2025
“We were going to leave Afghanistan, but we were going to leave it with strength and dignity. We were going to keep Bagram Air Base… We gave it to them for nothing.”
Trump says U.S. troops could return to Afghanistan, eyes taking control of Bagram Air Basehttps://t.co/KyJN83L3b3 pic.twitter.com/q8xGHDs1T9
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) September 19, 2025
He added, “One of the reasons we want that base is… it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.”
Though no formal talks with the Taliban have been confirmed, Trump hinted they may cooperate, stating, “We’re trying to get it back because they need things from us.”
