March 6, 2026: India has allowed an Iranian naval vessel and its crew to dock and seek refuge as tensions continue to rise in the Middle East. A report by Al Jazeera states that Indian authorities assisted the Iranian warship IRIS Lavan after it issued an emergency request for help.
According to officials, the vessel contacted Indian authorities on February 28, requesting urgent permission to anchor because of technical malfunctions onboard. The request came on the same day that the United States and Israel reportedly launched military operations against Iran.
The move has drawn criticism within India, particularly after another Iranian naval ship, IRIS Dena, which had participated in naval drills hosted by India, was destroyed in an attack carried out by a U.S. submarine.
Reports suggest that the attack on the IRIS Dena resulted in the deaths of more than 80 sailors, while 32 crew members were rescued and many others remain missing.
Critics argue that the government of Narendra Modi refrained from openly condemning Washington despite the ship being present in the region for exercises organized by India.
Indian officials confirmed on Friday that they had assisted another Iranian vessel that had also taken part in the same naval exercises. A senior official revealed that India received a request on February 28 seeking immediate docking permission at Kochi due to mechanical issues affecting the ship.
The request was approved on March 1, and the warship has been stationed at Kochi port since March 4. Authorities added that accommodation and necessary support have been provided to all 183 crew members while the vessel remains anchored there.
