India has allowed an Iranian naval vessel and its 183 crew members to dock in Kochi following the sinking of another Iranian warship by a US submarine near Sri Lanka.
The IRIS Dena, a Moudge-class frigate, was torpedoed about 40 nautical miles off the coast of Galle on the morning of March 4. The ship was returning to Iran after participating in the MILAN multilateral naval exercise.
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Sri Lankan authorities said the warship sank and 87 bodies have been recovered so far.
Government sources said another Iranian vessel, IRIS Lavan, was also operating in the region for the exercise and the International Fleet Review. Iran requested India on February 28 to allow the ship to dock in Kochi after it reportedly developed technical issues.
The request was approved on March 1 and the vessel docked on March 4. All 183 crew members are currently being accommodated at naval facilities in Kochi.
The Indian Navy said it received a distress call from IRIS Dena early on March 4 and immediately launched search-and-rescue operations. A long-range maritime patrol aircraft was deployed and INS Tarangini was sent to assist in rescue efforts.
However, Sri Lankan naval authorities had already initiated rescue operations before Indian assistance arrived.
Iran strongly condemned the attack, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accusing the US Navy of committing an “atrocity at sea”.
The United States confirmed that the warship was sunk by a torpedo, describing the incident as part of a broader military operation involving the US and Israel against Iran
India has allowed an Iranian naval vessel and its 183 crew members to dock in Kochi following the sinking of another Iranian warship by a US submarine near Sri Lanka.
The IRIS Dena, a Moudge-class frigate, was torpedoed about 40 nautical miles off the coast of Galle on the morning of March 4. The ship was returning to Iran after participating in the MILAN multilateral naval exercise.
Sri Lankan authorities said the warship sank and 87 bodies have been recovered so far.
Government sources said another Iranian vessel, IRIS Lavan, was also operating in the region for the exercise and the International Fleet Review. Iran requested India on February 28 to allow the ship to dock in Kochi after it reportedly developed technical issues.
The request was approved on March 1 and the vessel docked on March 4. All 183 crew members are currently being accommodated at naval facilities in Kochi.
The Indian Navy said it received a distress call from IRIS Dena early on March 4 and immediately launched search-and-rescue operations. A long-range maritime patrol aircraft was deployed and INS Tarangini was sent to assist in rescue efforts.
However, Sri Lankan naval authorities had already initiated rescue operations before Indian assistance arrived.
Iran strongly condemned the attack, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accusing the US Navy of committing an “atrocity at sea”.
The United States confirmed that the warship was sunk by a torpedo, describing the incident as part of a broader military operation involving the US and Israel against Iran.
