Iran warship still in Kochi 6 months after India gave safe harbour amid war

The Iranian Navy’s amphibious landing ship IRIS Lavan remains docked at Kochi, six months after it arrived in India following a request for emergency docking amid the escalating Middle East conflict.

The vessel had sought permission from India on February 28, the day the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran, citing technical problems that required urgent attention.

Approval was granted on March 1 and the ship docked in Kochi three days later.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar later told Parliament that India had permitted the vessel’s entry on humanitarian grounds, with its crew accommodated at Indian naval facilities.

The ship had a crew of 183 when it docked. More than 50 crew members stayed behind as it remained at the southern port city.

IRIS Lavan arrived in the region along with Iranian frigate IRIS Dena for activities linked to the International Fleet Review and MILAN 2026.

While sailing back to Iran after the exercise, IRIS Dena sunk near Sri Lanka on March 4 after it was struck by a torpedo fired from a US submarine. At least 87 people were killed in the attack.

Another Iranian vessel, IRIS Bushehr, also sought refuge in Sri Lanka.