Claim
Viral social media posts claim that an Indian oil tanker was allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz only after making payment to Iran in Chinese yuan, suggesting a diplomatic or economic compromise by India.
Verdict: False
What’s the story?
Screenshots circulating on platforms like X show posts alleging that:
- An Indian oil tanker paid Iran in Chinese yuan
- The payment was required to pass through the Strait of Hormuz
- The situation reflects a “national humiliation” for India
Some posts are amplified by accounts posing as news sources, including handles like “Russia TV” and individual users.
What Factcheck India Found?
There is no credible evidence supporting the claim that:
- India paid Iran to allow tanker passage
- Payments were made in Chinese yuan for transit rights
Key facts:
- The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway, not controlled unilaterally by Iran for transactional passage fees.
- Commercial shipping through the strait does not require payment to Iran under normal circumstances.
- No official statements from the Ministry of External Affairs or credible global media confirm such an incident.
- No verified shipping, naval, or trade data indicates disruption requiring such payments.
The images themselves show a “FAKE” stamp, indicating they may already be part of a debunk or manipulated narrative being recirculated.
Red flags in the viral posts
- Use of anonymous or dubious accounts posing as news outlets
- Lack of verifiable sources or official confirmation
- Emotional and political language (“national humiliation”) to provoke reactions
- No supporting evidence from shipping authorities, oil companies, or governments
Why the rumour spread
- Rising tensions around Iran and global oil routes
- Public anxiety over disruptions in energy supply
- Misinformation exploiting geopolitical fears
- Amplification by unreliable or agenda-driven accounts
Conclusion
There is no evidence that India paid Iran in Chinese yuan for tanker passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The claim is false and misleading, designed to create panic and push a geopolitical narrative without factual basis.