‘Baseless’: Centre rejects report of Iran seeking return of 3 tankers seized by India in return for Hormuz safe passage | India News
New Delhi: A central government source on Monday dismissed as “baseless” a report claiming that India and Iran have discussed the release of three ships seized by New Delhi in return for ensuring safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The source also rejected claims that the ships were owned by Iran.“This report is baseless. There was no such discussion between the Indian and Iranian authorities. In any case, the three vessels are not owned by Iran,” the source said.Earlier, a Reuters report said that Iran has asked India to release three seized tanker ships in return for ensuring safe passage of India-bound vessels through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing Gulf crisis triggered by US and Israeli attacks on Iran. The report quoted sources as saying that Iran’s ambassador to India met with foreign ministry officials on Monday to discuss the matter. Indian coastal authorities reportedly seized three US-sanctioned oil tankers in February. The vessels were intercepted off Mumbai coast and taken for investigation on suspicion of involvement in illegal oil trade.The so-called “Shadow Fleet” ships – Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star and Al Jafzia – were seized on 6 February.Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz cannot be used to launch an attack on Tehran and has indicated that shipping through the strategic waterway may be subject to certain conditions. Iranian officials said ships would only be allowed to pass under special circumstances because of what they described as insecurity created by Israel and the United States, with Iran’s armed forces monitoring the route and preventing it from being used for military action against the country.Since the start of the US and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February, Tehran has carried out retaliatory attacks across the region, including targeting ships attempting to transit the strait. As a result of the incident, three Indian sailors died, and one remains missing.
