India Rejects Claims That US Navy Is Using Its Ports for Strikes on Iran as ‘Baseless’
India Dismisses Reports of US Using Its Ports for Iran Strikes as ‘Fake’
India, Mar 05 : India has categorically denied allegations that the United States is using Indian ports to conduct military operations against Iran, calling the claims “fake” and “fabricated.”
The rebuttal was issued by the Ministry of External Affairs after remarks surfaced on a US television channel suggesting that American naval forces were relying on Indian harbour facilities amid the escalating conflict in West Asia.
In a post on X, MEA’s official fact check handle said assertions aired on One America News Network (OAN) were baseless and cautioned against spreading misinformation. “Claims being made on OAN that Indian ports are being used by the US Navy are fake. We caution you against such baseless and fabricated comments,” the statement read.
Remarks Sparked Controversy
The clarification followed comments by former US Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor during an interview with One America News Network. He claimed that damaged American bases had forced the US Navy to fall back on Indian ports an assertion New Delhi has firmly rejected.
Safety of Indian Nationals a Priority
Earlier, the MEA emphasised that ensuring the safety and well being of Indian citizens in the Gulf region remains a top priority. Officials noted that India cannot remain unaffected by developments that could endanger its nationals amid the widening conflict.
Escalation in the Gulf Region
The tensions intensified after coordinated US and Israeli airstrikes targeted key Iranian military and strategic sites on February 28, reportedly killing Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Tehran launched missile and drone attacks on US military installations and allied facilities across several Gulf nations, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The confrontation has further expanded, with naval clashes reported near Sri Lanka and missile interceptions involving NATO air defence systems. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has also been disrupted, raising concerns over global oil and gas supplies.
India has maintained that it is not involved in any military operations and reiterated its commitment to responsible diplomacy amid the volatile regional situation.
