Strait of Hormuz: India denies payments to Iran after Indian vessels turn back

India on Wednesday rejected claims that any Indian vessel paid Iran, in cash or cryptocurrency, for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The denial followed an April 18 incident when Iranian forces fired at two India-flagged ships. Both vessels turned back from the narrow waterway. Officials said there was no proof of any payment.

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The disruption added to wider delays in the Persian Gulf after the West Asia war began on February 28. Many commercial ships and thousands of seafarers have remained stuck there. Movement through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply. The channel carries about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas.

Strait of Hormuz safe passage claims and India’s denial

At a news briefing, Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, called the payment reports false. "News is spreading about a reported payment by the captain of the vessel Sanmar Herald in US dollar to persons claiming to represent the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC Navy to grant passage, and fell victim to cyber criminals. We spoke with the owner of the vessel, and he confirmed that it is fake news and no such incident had happened,\" he said.

Mangal said the ministry, with the Ministry of External Affairs, reviews conditions before advising stranded Indian ships to attempt the crossing. \"This unfortunate incident of Iranian guards firing on Indian ships happened on April 18. There was firing on two of our vessels, thats why they had to go back,\" Mangal said. \"As we have been telling in past also, we do not have any new data, any confirmation on any of our vessels has paid money to any of the authorities for this purpose.\"

Mangal also dismissed links between the firing and reported online fraud. \"There is no relation between the firing and the reports,\" Mangal said. \"This is fake news.\" The remarks came as some reports tied the April 18 event to an alleged cryptocurrency scam. These reports claimed shipowners were offered fake clearances in return for crypto.

Strait of Hormuz incident and audio from Sanmar Herald

An audio recording linked to the Indian tanker Sanmar Herald surfaced after the April 18 episode. In the clip, the captain is heard asking Iranian forces to stop firing. The captain referred to earlier clearance to transit the Strait of Hormuz. \"This is motor vessel, Sanmar Herald. You gave me clearance to go, my name is second on your list... You are firing now. Let me turn back.\"

Shipping monitor TankerTrackers.com reported that two India-flagged vessels turned back on April 18 after coming under fire. The report said one of them was a supertanker carrying Iraqi crude. The incident happened amid high regional tensions. Iran’s ability to interrupt traffic in the passage has become a key factor in the conflict.

Strait of Hormuz crypto scam reports and industry response

Marisk, a maritime risk services firm, said at least one ship was targeted by scammers. The firm said the ship was fired at while trying to pass through the waterway. These claims spread alongside the allegations about payments. Indian officials said they had no confirmation that any Indian vessel paid for transit.

Chennai-based Sanmar Shipping also denied any such transaction. \"It has come to our attention that there have been reports on social media about Sanmar Shippings very large crude carrier, Sanmar Herald, flying the Indian flag, falling prey to a cryptocurrency scam. We would like to clarify that these reports are completely false,\" the company said. Sanmar Shipping added it was coordinating with the relevant Indian government agency for safe passage.

The wider halt in transit has affected markets far beyond the Gulf. The slowdown has pushed up energy prices and led to supply shortages in some regions. Some countries have also rationed fuel. With the Strait of Hormuz remaining a vital route, authorities said they will keep assessing risks before advising Indian ships to cross.

With inputs from PTI