Iran Expresses Gratitude to India for Support of Naval Vessel IRIS Lavan

Iran has thanked India for allowing its naval vessel IRIS Lavan to dock at Kochi port for logistical support. This comes after the tragic sinking of another Iranian ship, IRIS Dena, by the US Navy. The Iranian ambassador praised the cooperation between the two nations, highlighting their long-standing friendship. The situation remains tense as Iran continues to monitor the aftermath of the incident involving IRIS Dena, which had recently participated in military exercises with India. This article delves into the diplomatic relations and the implications of these naval events.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 7, 2026, 17:57 IST

Iran's Naval Vessel IRIS Lavan Docks in Kochi

New Delhi: On Saturday, Iran expressed its appreciation to India for offering a safe docking location for its naval ship, IRIS Lavan, which is currently at Kochi port for necessary technical and logistical support. In a special interview, Iran's Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, highlighted the 'superb coordination and collaboration' from Indian officials, emphasizing the enduring and amicable ties between the two nations.

Following the unfortunate incident involving the Iranian vessel IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean, Iran is actively monitoring the situation regarding the crew and investigating various aspects of the event. In this regard, the IRIS Lavan has arrived at Kochi to facilitate its operational needs. Fathali expressed sincere gratitude towards the Indian government and local authorities for their humanitarian efforts in accommodating the vessel and assisting its crew.

He remarked, 'The remarkable coordination and cooperation from Indian authorities during these challenging times clearly demonstrate the long-standing and friendly relations between our two countries.' The ambassador also conveyed optimism about the future of the historic and constructive relationship between Tehran and New Delhi.

On Friday, India granted permission for the IRIS Lavan to dock in Kochi, shortly after the US Navy sank the IRIS Dena off the coast of Sri Lanka, resulting in the loss of approximately 90 sailors. The US submarine targeted the IRIS Dena with a torpedo during Operation Epic Fury while the ship was navigating near Sri Lanka. Prior to the attack on IRIS Dena, India had permitted another Iranian vessel to dock at Kochi due to technical issues.

IRIS Dena: A 'Guest of India', Says Iranian FM

The IRIS Dena, which was recently sunk by a US submarine, had participated in military drills organized by India in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, referred to the IRIS Dena as a 'guest of the Indian Navy' and criticized the US, stating, 'The frigate Dena, a guest of India's Navy with nearly 130 sailors aboard, was attacked in international waters without prior warning… The US will come to deeply regret this precedent.'

Indian Government's Response

However, Indian government sources have refuted this assertion, clarifying that the ship did not request assistance after the declaration of war on February 28, which occurred three days following the conclusion of the military exercises on February 25.