Trump may roll back Chabahar curbs waiver

President Donald Trump restored his "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran that includes efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero in order to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

This campaign is of concern to India as well as the memorandum restoring maximum pressure on Iran says that the Secretary of State will modify or rescind sanctions waivers, particularly those that provide Iran "any degree of economic or financial relief, including those related to Iran's Chabahar port project". The strategic port in Iran, where India has built a terminal, allows India to bypass Pakistan in accessing Central Asia.

The previous Trump administration had exempted Chabahar, acknowledging its role in facilitating reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. India last year signed a long-term contract to further develop the port.