The Iranian warship IRIS Lavan, which was participating in the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026, docked in Kochi following technical problems, ANI reported citing Indian government sources.
Officials told ANI that Iran contacted India days before the IRIS Dena incident south of Sri Lanka. The vessel was in the region as part of the Iranian Navy’s participation in the International Fleet Review and MILAN 2026, which took place from February 15 to February 25.
“This request was received on February 28, 2026, indicating that the docking at Kochi was urgent as the vessel was experiencing technical problems,” sources said.
Joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran were also launched on February 28.
The sources added that India approved the docking on March 1 after the conflict in the region had already started.
“Approval was granted for docking on March 1. IRIS LAVAN has since docked at Kochi on March 4,” sources said.
According to sources, the ship’s crew members are currently staying at the naval facilities in Kochi.
“In this connection, her crew of 183 are currently being accommodated at the naval facilities in Kochi,” sources told ANI.
Sources further told ANI that other ships were also present in the region at that time.
Read also | How Sri Lanka allowed an Iranian ship to dock could change the US-Iran war
The Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was returning home after participating in the Milan naval exercise hosted by India when it was hit, resulting in the death of at least 87 Iranian sailors. The attack marked a significant escalation of the conflict between the US and Iran outside the Persian Gulf.
A Sri Lankan navy vessel approaches an Iranian vessel in a rescue operation, a day after the crew of the imperiled Iranian warship IRIS Dena was rescued in waters south of Sri Lanka, off the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka, March 5, 2026. Sri Lankan Navy/Letter via REUTERS THIS PICTURE IN THIS PICTURE(via REUTERS)
The confrontation began when the US launched military strikes against Iran on February 28, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader.
In retaliation, Iran launched a series of attacks targeting Israel and US military bases in several Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, said the IRIS Dena frigate carried about 130 crew members, which is close to the typical complement for a ship of its class. He condemned its sinking by a US submarine as an “atrocity at sea” and warned that Washington would “bitterly regret” the attack, the AP reported.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said late Thursday that authorities had decided to take control of the IRIS Bushehr after discussions with Iranian officials and the ship’s captain after one of its engines failed.
“We have to understand that this is not a normal situation. It is a request by a ship belonging to one party to enter our port. We have to take it into account in accordance with international treaties and conventions,” he told reporters on Thursday evening.
Separately on Friday, he wrote on X: “No civilian should die in wars. Our approach is that every single life is as precious as our own.”
(With input from agencies)
