Whalesbook
India Calls Hormuz Toll 'Extortion,' Refuses Payment
India is refusing to pay alleged tolls of up to $2 million per voyage for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, government sources said. New Delhi views these unofficial fees, reportedly demanded by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as 'extortion.' India maintains it will not pay what it calls an 'unofficial toll' under duress.
Wider Mideast Shipping Crisis Worsens
The maritime crisis in West Asia has intensified, most recently with the sinking of the Indian-flagged vessel MSV Haji Ali in the Gulf of Oman. India's Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned the incident, stating that targeting commercial shipping and endangering civilian mariners is unacceptable. The ministry emphasized that freedom of navigation and commerce must be upheld.
Shipping Delays and Domestic Price Hikes
Currently, 13 Indian ships are stalled waiting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, while 11 have already navigated the route. The crisis, fueled by attacks following U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran, has created blockades in this vital shipping lane. To mitigate economic impacts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged austerity measures, including work-from-home and public transport. In response to these pressures, state-run oil companies raised petrol and diesel prices by ₹3 per litre and CNG by ₹2 per kg on May 15, 2026.