Iran denies charging tolls for Indian tankers transiting Hormuz

• Iran has denied that Indian tankers are paying transit tolls to navigate the Strait of Hormuz.
• 15 Indian ships remain trapped in the Persian Gulf, posing a major threat to India's crucial energy supplies.

Iran has officially denied allegations that it is charging tolls for Indian commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz. 

The clarification from Tehran’s ambassador to New Delhi on Monday comes amid heightened tensions, following US President Donald Trump's recent vow to block the passage of any international vessels found making payments to the Iranian government.

Read more: US military says to begin blockade of all Iran ports at 1400 GMT Monday

Reaffirming bilateral ties

Addressing reporters during a briefing at the Iranian embassy in New Delhi, Ambassador Mohammad Fathali firmly pushed back against rumors of transactional passage for Indian ships.

"You can ask the Indian government if we have charged anything up to now," Fathali stated. Seeking to emphasize the strong diplomatic ties between the two nations despite the ongoing regional crisis. 

He added: “In this difficult time, we have good relations. We believe Iran and India share common interests and a common fate.”

India's stranded fleet and economic stakes

The Iranian ambassador's remarks align with New Delhi's own ongoing diplomatic defense. India has repeatedly and categorically denied paying any tolls or fees to secure the safe exit of nine ships carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) through the strategic waterway. 

These transits occurred after Iran effectively barred general maritime traffic following the outbreak of the current war.

Despite the successful exit of those nine ships, India's maritime trade remains severely impacted by the conflict. According to Indian officials, 15 India-flagged vessels are currently stuck in the Persian Gulf, unable to safely navigate the blockaded waters.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz poses a significant threat to India's energy security and economy, as approximately half of the nation's total crude oil and LPG supplies rely on passage through the critical maritime chokepoint.

Early Post-Ceasefire Crossings

Following the recent ceasefire, a small trickle of 4 to 10 vessels successfully transited the strait. These early crossings included the Gabon-flagged tanker MSG, which carried Emirati fuel oil toward India.

Shortly after, on April 11, three major laden supertankers (VLCCs) also made outbound journeys: the Liberia-flagged Serifos, alongside the China-flagged Cospearl Lake and He Rong Hai.