India Denies Cash and Crypto Payments to Iran After Ships Fired at Strait of Hormuz: Govt Calls Crypto Scam Reports Fake
India has denied all claims of paying Iran in cash or cryptocurrency for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The government issued this clarification after a recent incident involving Indian ships in the region.
On April 18, two India-flagged ships tried to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. During the journey, Iranian forces opened fire. The ships had to turn back to stay safe. One of these ships was the Sanmar Herald. An audio clip later surfaced where the captain asked Iranian forces to stop firing. He also said the ship had already received permission to pass.
Incident Triggers Confusion
After the incident, reports began to spread on social media. Some claimed that ships were paying money for safe passage. Others said the incident was linked to a crypto scam. These reports suggested that fraudsters were offering fake approvals in exchange for cryptocurrency.
The Indian government rejected all these claims. Mukesh Mangal from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said no such payment had been made. He called the reports fake news. He also said officials spoke to the ship owners and found no truth in these claims.
Government and Company Deny Claims
Sanmar Shipping, which owns Sanmar Herald, also denied the reports. The company said no payment was made in cash or crypto. It added that the ship did not fall into any scam. The company is working with Indian authorities to ensure safe movement of its vessels.
The government is keeping a close watch on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. Officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and shipping department are checking risks before allowing ships to move. Many ships are still waiting in the Persian Gulf because of rising tension in the area.
Rising Tension and Safety Concerns
The Strait of Hormuz is a very important sea route. A large part of the world’s oil and gas passes through it. Any problem in this area can affect fuel supply and increase prices in many countries.
Experts have also warned about online scams. Some criminals are trying to trick ship owners with fake offers of safe passage for crypto payments. However, Indian officials said no Indian ship has been affected by such scams.
The April 18 incident shows that the situation in the region is tense. It also shows how quickly false news can spread. India’s response aims to clear confusion and present the facts.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a risky route for now. Shipping companies are moving carefully. Authorities have asked everyone involved to stay alert and avoid both physical danger and online fraud.
