India allows Iranian ships to dock
India has confirmed it docked the Iranian warship Iris Dena just three days prior to its sinking by a US sub.
This was the same day as the US and Israel attacked Iran. India granted the request for humanitarian purposes on March 1.
The movements of Iranian ships are still unclear
Three ships, Iris Dena Iris Bushehr and Iris Lavan had participated in an exercise at Visakhapatnam from February 15 to 25. The three ships left Indian waters in February and likely reached international waters around February 28.
Unknown is why only Iris Lavan docked in Kochi, India on March 4 where the crew of its vessel are staying at Indian naval facilities.
US Sinks Iris Dena In International Waters
A torpedo was fired by an American submarine on March 4 at a Iris Dena carrying 130 sailors. The strike occurred roughly 20 nautical mile west of Galle in Sri Lanka. A total of 87 sailors died.
Iran and Sri Lanka React
Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, condemned the attack.Sri Lanka docked Iris Bushehr on 5 March after the ship reported engine problems.
India repeated that it was right to provide sanctuary for the vessels. This incident has raised questions regarding India’s regional security and authority.
