India has given refuge to IRIS Lavan, an Iranian ship to dock at Kochi due to technical issues. Iran had approached India days before U.S. torpedoed IRIS Dena, another Iranian warship, which was returning after participating in International Fleet Review and MILAN 2026 naval exercise held in Vishakhapatnam. India received a request from Iran on February 28, 2026, with authorities informing India that the vessel required urgent docking to address the technical problem. India approved the request on March 01. The Iranian warship arrived on March 04 and docked at Kochi. The ship has 183 crew members who are currently being accommodated at naval facilities in Kochi.
Indian Navy joins Sri Lankan Navy in search operations for IRIS Dena
When Sri Lankan Navy received a distress call from the IRIS Dena in the early hours of March 04, the Indian Navy deployed a long-range maritime patrol aircraft on March 04 and rescue operations are being conducted under Sri Lankan leadership. The Navy directed INS Taranigini to assist in rescue operations. When the vessel reached the search area by 1600 hours, the Sri Lankan Navy had already begun search and rescue operations. Another Indian vessel, INS Ikshak, sailed from Kochi, to join the operation for searching the missing personnel. Another Iranian warship, IRIS Bushehr approached Sri Lankan waters on March 06.
