NEW DELHI, APRIL 14: Indian maritime traffic continues to move through the Strait of Hormuz without financial levies, according to Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Fathali. During a press conference held Monday, the envoy affirmed that Tehran has not charged Indian ships for transit, countering recent allegations of coercive measures against international vessels in the waterway.
The clarification comes as India denies making any payments to secure the passage of its tankers, including those transporting liquefied petroleum gas. Fathali thanked the Indian media and government for their roles in conveying the “real situation” in Iran during what he termed a difficult period for his country.
“Our foreign minister has named India among the countries we consider friends,” Fathali affirmed. He stated that the deep-seated cultural and historical ties between the two countries have facilitated close coordination throughout the ongoing maritime crisis.
The ambassador pointed to the sustained engagement between New Delhi and Tehran as evidence of a robust partnership. He mentioned that top leadership, including the Prime Minister and the Iranian President, remain in “good contact” to discuss regional stability. Fathali declared that India’s status as a trusted partner has remained firm despite external pressures and the threat of a naval blockade.
Amidst these diplomatic assurances, the envoy issued a sharp critique of the military actions affecting civilian populations in the West Asia region. He stated that more than 30,000 people have been injured in recent weeks and claimed that transport and energy networks have been targeted. The humanitarian crisis coincides with a deepening standoff involving the U.S. and Israel, which has placed the strategically crucial strait at the center of a global energy security debate.
