India, May 14 -- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi on Wednesday strongly defended Tehran's proposed service fee mechanism for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, while confirming that Indian ships are being given preferential passage amid heightened regional tensions.

Speaking exclusively to The Pioneer on the sidelines of the India-chaired BRICS meeting, Gharibabadi dismissed suggestions that Iran was imposing transit tolls on international shipping and said the proposed charges were linked only to maritime services provided by Iran and Oman in the strategically critical waterway.

"We are providing maritime services - navigation assistance, safety and rescue operations and other safety-related services," Gharibabadi...