Iran denies charging toll for Indian tankers transiting Hormuz strait

“You can ⁠ask the Indian government if we ​have charged anything up to now," Ambassador ​Mohammad Fathali told reporters at a briefing at Iran's embassy.

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

India ⁠has repeatedly denied paying any toll to secure the exit of nine ships carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) through the ​strategic waterway ​since ⁠Iran effectively barred transit following the outbreak of the Iran ​war.

India says 15 India‑flagged vessels ​remain ⁠stuck in the Persian Gulf.

About half of India’s crude oil and LPG supplies ⁠pass ​through the Strait of ​Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a key route for India, with around half of its crude oil and LPG imports passing through it. Any disruption in this corridor affects cargo movement and energy supply.

During a press briefing at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi, Fathali said Iran considers India a friend and that both countries share common interests. He added that there has been regular contact between the two sides during the conflict.

There have been multiple high-level contacts between the two countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held two phone calls, while External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke several times with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

India has also increased its outreach to Gulf countries. Jaishankar spoke with Kuwait’s foreign minister and Singapore’s foreign minister to discuss the regional situation and the safety of Indian nationals. He also completed a two-day visit to the UAE.