A chartered plane organized by Tehran left southern India late on Friday with several sailors from a naval vessel that docked in the country recently, along with the bodies of crew members killed in a US strike near Sri Lanka, two sources told Reuters.
The movement of sailors comes as the US-Israel conflict with Iran has disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for global energy trade and the source of about 40% of India’s oil imports, according to Reuters.
After days of uncertainty following Iranian attacks on ships, Tehran said on Friday that Indian vessels would be allowed to pass through the strait, allaying fears in New Delhi of potential power disruptions.
The plane had earlier taken off from Sri Lanka carrying the bodies of 84 Iranian sailors killed last week in a US submarine attack on a warship off the island’s coast, an Indian official with direct knowledge of the matter said. It then landed in the neighboring South Indian city of Kochi before departing with sailors from another Iranian vessel and some Iranian tourists stranded in India, the official added.
The vessel has been stationed in Kochi since March 4 and its 183 crew members are being accommodated at Indian Navy facilities in the coastal city.
As reported by PTI, sources said all non-essential crew members will return to Iran while a small number of sailors will remain on board as the ship remains in Kochi.
They added that the Iranian sailors are expected to be airlifted to Armenia and then travel by road to Iran, PTI reported.
Reuters reported last week that Washington had urged Colombo not to return survivors from the two vessels.
The repatriations highlight the widening regional impact of the conflict involving Tehran, which has severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after several attacks on vessels. India, the world’s third-largest oil consumer, is in regular contact with Iranian authorities to ensure safe passage for ships flying the Indian flag or bound for Indian ports.
Iranian Ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali confirmed safe passage for Indian vessels.
“Because we believe that Iran and India are friends,” he told reporters late Friday. “We have common interests and a common destiny. I, as the ambassador of Iran to India, tell you that the government of India… will help us in various fields after the war.”
Reuters reported last week that Washington had urged Colombo not to send back survivors from the two vessels.
The repatriations highlight the widening regional implications of the conflict involving Tehran, which has severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after several attacks on vessels. India, the world’s third-largest oil consumer, is in regular contact with Iranian officials to ensure safe passage for ships flying the Indian flag or bound for Indian ports.
A small number of vessels have already passed through the strait in recent days, offering some relief.
(With input from agencies)
