Iran Thanks India for Sheltering Naval Vessel IRIS Lavan at Kochi After IRIS Dena Sunk by US Torpedo

Iran has formally expressed gratitude to India for providing safe harbour to its naval vessel IRIS Lavan at Kochi port, following the devastating loss of another Iranian frigate, IRIS Dena, which was sunk by a US Navy submarine torpedo near Sri Lanka in the early hours of Wednesday — killing approximately 87 of the estimated 180 crew members on board, with around 32 survivors rescued by the Sri Lanka Navy.

Iran's Ambassador Thanks New Delhi

Iranian Ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali, speaking to ANI, confirmed that IRIS Lavan had docked at Kochi for technical and logistical arrangements in the aftermath of the IRIS Dena tragedy. "I would like to sincerely thank the Government of India and the local authorities for their cooperation and humanitarian approach in facilitating the docking of this vessel and supporting its crew," Fathali said. He described India's assistance as a reflection of the "longstanding friendly relations" between Tehran and New Delhi, and expressed confidence that the historic ties between the two nations would continue to strengthen.

How the Docking Came About

The timeline of events reveals that India had been approached by Iran even before IRIS Dena was sunk. Tehran first contacted New Delhi on February 28 — the same day the joint US-Israel strike killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei — citing technical difficulties aboard IRIS Lavan and requesting urgent docking support at Kochi. Approval was granted on March 1, and the vessel docked on Wednesday. Its 183 crew members are currently being housed at naval facilities in Kochi.

Government officials confirmed that IRIS Lavan had participated in India's International Fleet Review 2026 and was present in the Indian Ocean region as part of the Iranian naval deployment for the multinational exercise MILAN 2026, held in Visakhapatnam between February 15 and 25.

The IRIS Dena Tragedy

IRIS Dena's sinking represents one of the most dramatic naval incidents of the ongoing West Asia conflict. The frigate was struck by a US Navy submarine torpedo near Sri Lanka, sending the vessel to the bottom of the Indian Ocean with the loss of around 87 lives. The incident drew India into the conflict's humanitarian dimensions, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar acknowledging India's role in facilitating the rescue and support operations for Iranian naval personnel in the region.

The developments underscore India's delicate diplomatic balancing act — maintaining its humanitarian obligations and historic ties with Tehran while navigating its strategic relationships with Washington and the broader international community amid one of the most volatile conflicts in decades.