Indian tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz have not paid any tolls to Iran, Tehran’s envoy to New Delhi said on Monday, amid heightened tensions in West Asia and remarks by Donald Trump about blocking vessels making payments to the Islamic republic.
Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, also assured that the crucial shipping route would remain open for Indian vessels.
“You can ask the Indian government if we have charged anything up to now,” Fathali said at a briefing at Iran’s embassy, adding that bilateral ties remain strong. “In this difficult time, we have good relations. We believe Iran and India share common interests and a common fate.”
In an interview with NDTV, the envoy said Iranian authorities are in close coordination with Indian officials to ensure smooth passage through the waterway. “We have good contact with the [Indian] government for allowing their ships to sail through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
The Indian government has consistently maintained that no payments have been made to secure transit. Officials, during inter-ministerial briefings following the outbreak of the West Asia conflict, reiterated that vessels carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have not been subject to any tolls.
Earlier this month, the government also clarified that no discussions had taken place with Iran on imposing such charges. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said there had been “no such discussion” regarding fees on Indian-flagged or operated ships.
Amid the ongoing tensions, India has also reported that 15 of its flagged vessels remain stranded in the Persian Gulf.
The Strait of Hormuz continues to be a vital energy corridor, handling nearly half of India’s crude oil and LPG imports, making its accessibility critical for the country’s energy security.
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