Following India's representation, the U.S. Department of the Treasury stated that activities at Chabahar Port would not be exposed to U.S. sanctions till 26 April 2026. This protection followed the September 2025 decision to withdraw an earlier waiver, underscoring the port's strategic importance for India's connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asia. As of mid-2026 the protection should be read as a time-bound arrangement that lapsed on 26 April 2026 unless renewed, not as an open-ended waiver.