India granted emergency docking permission to Iranian naval ship IRIS Lavan at Kochi port on March 4, 2026, just days before the US sank sister vessel IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka in the escalating conflict.
Timeline of Events
Iran requested urgent docking for IRIS Lavan on February 28 due to technical issues after its participation in India’s International Fleet Review; approval came March 1, with arrival March 4. The 183-strong crew is housed at Indian naval facilities in Kochi, as both ships were part of the fleet review contingent.
Context of IRIS Dena Sinking
The US submarine torpedoed IRIS Dena on March 4 in international waters south of Sri Lanka, prompting Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi to decry it as an “atrocity” against an Indian Navy “guest,” warning of regret over the precedent. Sri Lanka evacuated Dena’s 208 crew; a second Iranian ship, IRIS Bushehr, sought Colombo docking amid security concerns but was redirected.
India’s Neutral Stance
India aided Dena’s distress call with search-rescue ops post-sinking, while rejecting viral claims of US Navy using Indian ports for strikes. MEA emphasizes humanitarian aid in the US-Israel-Iran war, balancing ties with all parties.
