India Rejects Claim US Used Indian Ports For Iran Attack; Congress Demands Answers
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has strongly denied claims that the United States Navy used Indian ports to launch military attacks during the ongoing Iran conflict. The government called the allegation “fake and fabricated” after it surfaced during a television interview in the United States.
The controversy erupted after a defence analyst claimed that the US Navy was forced to rely on Indian ports following heavy damage to its own bases during the war with Iran.
Government Issues Strong Fact Check
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded quickly to the allegation on social media through its official fact-check handle.
The ministry said the claim circulating on the American television network One America News Network was completely false.
In a post, the government clarified: “Claims being made that Indian ports are being used by the US Navy are fake and false. We caution against such baseless and fabricated comments.”
The statement was aimed at shutting down speculation that India was directly assisting American military operations in the ongoing US–Iran conflict.
Controversial Claim by US Defence Analyst
The allegation emerged during an interview with former US Army Colonel Douglas MacGregor, who suggested that the US Navy had to depend on Indian facilities.
During the discussion, MacGregor claimed: “All of our bases have been destroyed. Our harbour installations are destroyed. We are actually having to fall back on India and Indian ports, which is less than ideal.”
His remarks quickly triggered debate on social media and in diplomatic circles.
Iranian Warship Sinking Raises Questions
The controversy intensified after reports that a US submarine had sunk the Iranian naval frigate IRIS Dena in the Bay of Bengal.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the incident in a press briefing.
He said: “In the Indian Ocean, an American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo — Quiet Death.”
Reports claimed the ship was struck while sailing in international waters and that more than 80 Iranian sailors were killed.
Former Diplomat Raises Moral Questions
Former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal said India may not be militarily responsible but still faces a moral dilemma.
He pointed out that the Iranian ship had earlier participated in the MILAN naval exercise, which was hosted by India.
Sibal said: “The Iranian ship would not have been there if India had not invited it for the exercise. It had no ammunition because such ships cannot carry weapons during the event.”
However, he clarified that the US attack took place far away from India’s territorial waters.
Strategic Experts Warn of Security Risks
Strategic analyst Brahma Chellaney warned that if US forces used intelligence shared under military agreements, it could create diplomatic complications.
India and the United States currently share defence data under agreements such as COMCASA and LEMOA.
Chellaney argued that using shared intelligence to attack a ship that had just visited an Indian port could raise serious trust issues.
Congress Seeks Government Clarification
Leaders from the Indian National Congress have demanded a clear statement from the government in Parliament.
Congress leaders say the issue could have serious diplomatic consequences for India, especially with tensions rising across the Middle East.
They argued that the government must explain whether any intelligence cooperation or logistical support could have indirectly helped the US operation.
For now, the Indian government has firmly rejected the allegation that American warships used Indian ports. However, the sinking of the Iranian vessel and the escalating US-Iran conflict continue to raise concerns about India being drawn closer to a major international military confrontation.
