When is a pilot allowed to make a straight-in landing using an IAP with only circling minimums?

A pilot is permitted to execute a straight-in landing using an instrument approach procedure (IAP) with only circling minimums when they are cleared to land and the runway is in sight. This condition establishes that the pilot has visual confirmation of the runway, which is essential for safely conducting a straight-in approach.

Circling minimums are specifically designed for situations where a pilot needs to perform a visual maneuver around an airport, which might require transitioning to visual flight rules (VFR) upon spotting the runway. If the pilot has the runway in sight and is cleared to land, they can safely complete the landing without needing to follow the circling procedure, which is intended for when the aircraft transitions visually but does not approach the runway straight-in.

The other choices do not align with the conditions required for executing a straight-in landing in this scenario. Being VFR alone doesn't grant permission to make a straight-in approach under such circumstances, nor does an instruction from air traffic control or confirmation from another aircraft meet the requirement of having the runway visually confirmed before landing.