Mumbai, March 19: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has officially debunked a viral social media post claiming that Iran has blocked Indian merchant ships from transiting the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. In a statement issued via its dedicated Fact Check unit on Thursday, March 19, the ministry labelled the reports as "baseless and false," urging the public to exercise caution before sharing unverified information.

The misleading post, which circulated extensively on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram, alleged that Iranian authorities had stopped 22 Indian-flagged vessels as part of a broader geopolitical standoff. However, the MEA confirmed that all 22 Indian vessels currently operating in the region are safe and accounted for. Operational updates from the Shipping Ministry further corroborated that maritime activity continues under close monitoring, with no disruption reported to the movement of Indian cargo or tankers. Did Israel Arrest Indian Journalist Aditya Raj Kaul for Revealing Benjamin Netanyahu’s Location? Here’s the Fact Check.

MEA Fact Check: Govt Debunks Viral Post on Indian Ships Blocked by Iran

According to the latest government data, the 22 Indian-flagged ships stationed in or near the Strait of Hormuz are operating normally. A total of 611 crew members on board these vessels have been contacted and are reported safe.

"The movement of Indian cargo has not been halted," a senior official stated, noting that a crude oil tanker carrying over 80,000 metric tonnes recently docked safely in Gujarat. Additionally, two LPG carriers successfully completed their transit through the Strait earlier this week, reinforcing that the shipping lanes remain open to Indian-flagged traffic despite the volatile regional climate. Citibank Dubai and Bahrain Branches Hit by Iran Strikes? Company Fact Checks Fake Claims.

Diplomatic Channels and Safe Passage

The MEA's rebuttal follows a series of high-level diplomatic discussions between New Delhi and Tehran. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has held multiple conversations with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, focusing specifically on the safety of Indian seafarers and the security of energy lanes.

While the region remains tense due to the ongoing US-Israel-Iran shadow war, India has leveraged its "multi-alignment" policy to ensure its interests are protected. The government also dismissed separate rumors suggesting a "vessel exchange" deal with Iran, clarifying that India does not engage in transactional diplomacy for the safe passage of its merchant fleet.

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Rating:5

TruLY Score 5 – Trustworthy | On a Trust Scale of 0-5 this article has scored 5 on LatestLY. It is verified through official sources (Official X Account of MEA Fact Check). The information is thoroughly cross-checked and confirmed. You can confidently share this article with your friends and family, knowing it is trustworthy and reliable.

Fact check

Iran Denied Passage to 22 Indian Ships Through Strait of Hormuz? MEA Fact Check Calls Viral Post ‘Baseless and False’
Claim :

Iran has blocked Indian merchant ships from transiting the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Conclusion :

The claim is fake.

Full of Trash
Clean

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 19, 2026 12:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).