Over 100 Iranian Warship Crew Repatriated from Kochi Amid Iran–US Tensions

Kochi: India has repatriated more than 100 non-essential crew members from an Iranian naval vessel docked at Kochi, even as the warship continues to remain berthed at the southern port amid rising tensions between Iran and the United States.

Officials familiar with the development said the sailors were flown out late Friday night on a flight operated by Turkish Airlines after Indian authorities facilitated their departure on humanitarian grounds.

The aircraft reportedly halted at Colombo, following an incident earlier this month in which an Iranian warship was sunk by a US submarine off the coast of Sri Lanka on March 4.

The repatriated personnel were part of the crew of the Iranian naval ship IRIS Lavan, which docked at Kochi port on the same day the naval confrontation unfolded in the Indian Ocean Region.

Sources said the vessel initially had 183 crew members on board. After the departure of non-essential personnel, about 50 sailors remain on the ship to handle operational and maintenance duties.

Indian authorities have been closely monitoring the situation since the vessel arrived, especially against the backdrop of the escalating military confrontation between Tehran and Washington.

Officials indicated that the presence of the Iranian warship at Kochi port is being handled cautiously while adhering to maritime regulations and diplomatic protocols.

While the remaining crew continues to stay on board the vessel, there has been no official announcement yet regarding when the warship will depart from Indian waters.

Maritime and security agencies are keeping a close watch on developments as strategic activity in the Indian Ocean has intensified following the recent confrontation between Iran and the United States.

With inputs from IANS