NEW DELHI, APRIL 14: Iran’s Ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali declared Monday that Indian-flagged vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz are not being charged tolls, despite rising regional hostilities and global shipping concerns. Speaking in the national capital, Fathali described India as a “reliable and compassionate partner” and expressed gratitude for the support shown by the Indian government and its citizens during Tehran’s current hardships.
The envoy’s statement addresses international speculation regarding payments for safe passage through the strategic chokepoint. While reports have circulated suggesting that blocked vessels were forced to make payments to Iran, Fathali dismissed these claims as they pertain to New Delhi.
“I believe the people of India have demonstrated that they are truly reliable and compassionate partners in times of hardship,” Fathali stated. He further challenged skeptics to verify the matter, adding, “You can ask the Indian Government if we have charged anything up to now.”
The relationship between the two nations remains rooted in frequent high-level diplomacy. Fathali noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have maintained steady contact, supported by regular dialogue between their respective foreign ministers. The ambassador maintained that this coordination is a result of shared regional interests and a “common fate.”
Fathali also provided a somber report on the humanitarian situation in the region, asserting that the conflict has resulted in over 3,700 deaths in the last 40 days. He alleged that civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, has faced extensive damage. These comments follow the collapse of talks between Washington and Tehran and a proposed blockade of the strait, which remains a vital artery for global energy supplies.
