Will India Pay Hormuz Fees? Here's What Iran's Envoy Said As Tehran Assures 'Friendly Nations'

Last Updated:July 05, 2026, 18:27 IST

Iran has not announced how the proposed service fees will apply to individual countries.

Iran’s announcement that it plans to introduce service fees for ships transiting the critically vital Strait of Hormuz has raised questions over whether Indian vessels will be required to pay the proposed charges.

However, Tehran has indicated that countries it considers friendly could receive special treatment.

‘Friendly’ Nations May Get Special Treatment

Speaking at the World Peace Forum in Beijing on Saturday, Iran’s Ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, said, “As a country where the Hormuz is part of its territorial waters, we will definitely charge service fees," while stressing that the charges should not be viewed as a “toll."

He added, “We will definitely consider special treatment for the countries that were friendly to us and specially stood by us during the hard times."

While Iran has not announced how the proposed fee structure will apply to individual countries, its earlier assurances to India suggest New Delhi may not face the same treatment as others.

Iran Earlier Assured India Of Safe Passage

On April 13, Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, had said Indian tankers were not paying any tolls to Tehran despite concerns raised during the recent regional conflict.

“You can ask the Indian government if we have charged anything up to now," Fathali had said, adding, “In this difficult time, we have good relations. We believe Iran and India share common interests and a common fate."

“Iran shares strong and trustworthy relations with the Indian government. In difficult times, India has proven itself to be a sensitive and reliable partner, and the cultural ties between the two nations remain deep-rooted," he had noted.

The envoy had also assured Indian shipping of continued access through the strategic waterway, saying, “Indian ships will continue to receive safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in the future as well," while noting that Iran would announce a mechanism governing the passage of vessels.

The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports, making any change to its transit rules significant for international trade and energy markets.

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Manisha Roy

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish...Read More

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