Viral Claim About Indian Oil Tanker Paying in Yuan to Cross Strait of Hormuz Is Misleading

Amid rising tensions in Middle East, the situation around the Strait of Hormuz has become a major concern, as it is an important route for global oil supply. Reports suggest that several oil tankers were affected due to the ongoing Iran-Israel tensions. At the same time, an Indian oil tanker was allowed to pass through the strait. Meanwhile, a claim is going viral on social media stating that the tanker was given permission only after making payment in Chinese yuan.

X handle named China in English claimed, “An Indian oil tanker received permission to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after paying the amount in Chinese yuan.”

Priyanka Bharti wrote, “An Indian oil tanker was allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after the payment was made in “Chinese yuan” It’s national humiliation. Modi has brought disgrace to India’s image! The most incompetent PM in history of India.”

Aleksey Berezutski wrote, “BREAKING NEWS Allegedly, today, an Indian oil tanker paid Iran in Chinese yuan to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.”

Several other users, including Pratik Patel, MTQ, Atul Londhe patil and Anuma Acharya, also shared posts on X (formerly Twitter) making the same claim.

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Fact Check

During the investigation, we searched using relevant keywords but did not find any credible media report suggesting that an Indian oil tanker paid in Chinese yuan to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Further investigation led us to a report by The Times of India, which stated that Iran was considering allowing a limited number of oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz under certain conditions. According to the report, one such condition discussed was that oil cargo could be traded in Chinese yuan. However, the report does not mention any specific case of an Indian oil tanker making such a payment to secure passage.

Meanwhile, the Iranian Embassy, through its official X handle, clarified that claims regarding the alleged receipt of 2 million dollars by Iran from vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz are unfounded. It stated that such assertions merely reflect the personal views of certain individuals and do not, in any way, represent the official position of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Claim	An Indian oil tanker received permission to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after paying the amount in Chinese yuan.
Claimed by	Priyanka Bharti, China in English, Pratik Patel
Fact	The claim that an Indian oil tanker was allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after paying in Chinese yuan is misleading. There is no credible evidence to suggest that any Indian tanker made such a payment to secure passage.

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