India provides shelter to an Iranian ship, following Sri Lanka's lead

Indian government sources confirm that after an Iranian naval vessel, 'IRIS Dena', was sunk near Sri Lankan waters in an American attack and the crew of another vessel was rescued, another Iranian vessel has been given refuge in India's Kochi port. Iran requested permission from India for the vessel 'IRIS Lavan', which had arrived in the region a few days prior for the International Fleet Review due to a technical fault, to enter Kochi port on February 28, 2026, due to an emergency technical fault, before the war began.

Responding to this urgent request, Indian authorities granted the necessary approval on March 1, and accordingly, the 'IRIS Lavan' vessel safely anchored at Kochi port on March 4. Government sources further state that 183 crew members from the vessel have currently been provided accommodation under Indian Navy facilities located in Kochi.

Meanwhile, the incident of the 'IRIS Dena' vessel being sunk was reported last Wednesday amidst the escalating American-Israeli and Iranian military tensions across the Middle East region. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed strong disapproval regarding the attack on this vessel, which carried nearly 130 sailors and had arrived as a guest of the Indian Navy, without any prior warning in international waters. He also warned in a post on his X account that America would deeply regret this barbaric act carried out 2,000 miles from the Iranian coastline.

Following the sinking of the Iranian frigate by an American submarine attack, Sri Lanka safely rescued 208 crew members from an Iranian naval vessel last Thursday.