India denies paying Iran for safe passage through Strait of Hormuz

A spokesperson for India's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied that the country ever paid fees to Iran to ensure the safe passage of its ships, according to a media outlet. The statement follows speculation that India had paid for passage through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran permitted Indian vessels to transit the waterway on March 28. Several of the ships were reportedly escorted by Iran's Revolutionary Guard at the time, fueling the rumors.