The Ministry of External Affairs’ FactCheck unit has refuted a widely circulated social media claim alleging that an Indian oil tanker paid Iran in Chinese yuan to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
The misleading narrative portrayed the situation as a national embarrassment for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Officials categorically labelled the claim as false and clarified that no credible evidence supports such assertions.
The misinformation reportedly originated from accounts such as @priyanka2bharti and several pro-Russian handles, which amplified the narrative without verification.
Authorities stated that the hoax manipulates ongoing geopolitical developments, including tensions between the United States and Iran, as well as discussions around de-dollarisation.
By distorting these complex issues, the posts attempted to project an anti-India narrative.
No established international agencies, including Reuters, nor any official government statements, have substantiated the claim.
The FactCheck unit emphasised that the story lacks authenticity and should be disregarded.
The misleading posts surfaced on March 23, 2026, during a period of heightened risk in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.
The timing contributed to the rapid spread of the false information, which garnered over 41,000 views within a short span.
The incident triggered strong reactions from users, many of whom demanded stricter action, including account suspensions for those responsible for circulating the misinformation.
Officials noted that the episode highlights the growing challenge of combating digital disinformation, particularly during sensitive geopolitical developments.
They reiterated the importance of relying on verified sources and official communications to prevent the spread of false narratives.
Fake News Alert!
Please stay alert against such false and baseless claims and posts on social media! pic.twitter.com/GugIoBhihE
— MEA FactCheck (@MEAFactCheck) March 23, 2026
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