The US issued a warning just hours after India agreed to a 10-year deal to run Iran's Chabahar port, saying that "anyone" thinking about doing business with the Islamic Republic should be "aware of the potential risk" and that its sanctions against Tehran will remain in effect.
Vedant Patel, the principal deputy spokesperson for the State Department, announced at the same time that the administration will allow the Indian government to discuss its foreign policy objectives.
At the department's regular press briefing on Monday, Patel stated, "I will let the government of India speak to its own foreign policy goals vis-à-vis the Chabahar port as well as its bilateral relationship with Iran."
In response to a question, Patel stated, "We are aware of these reports that Iran and India have signed a deal concerning the Chabahar Port."
However, he added, "Any entity, anyone considering business deals with Iran, they need to be aware of the potential risk they are opening themselves up to, the potential risk of sanctions."
On Monday, Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) and the Port & Maritime Organization (PMO) of Iran formally signed the Long-Term Bilateral Contract concerning the management of Iran's only ocean port, Chabahar Port.
Washington's sanctions against Tehran will continue to be enforced, as confirmed by Patel, who refused to give New Delhi any special treatment under this agreement.
He declared that “US sanctions on Iran remain in place and we will continue to enforce them,” when asked if the agreement exempted India from sanctions, Patel replied, "No."
