Iran Warship IRIS Lavan Still in Kochi 6 Months After India Safe Harbour
Iranian Navy ship IRIS Lavan remains docked in Kochi six months after India granted emergency entry amid the Iran conflict.
The Iranian Navy’s amphibious landing ship IRIS Lavan remains docked in Kochi six months after India granted it emergency entry amid the conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel. The vessel sought permission on February 28, citing technical problems requiring urgent attention, and received approval from India on March 1 before arriving in Kochi three days later.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar later said India had allowed the ship to enter on humanitarian grounds, with its crew accommodated at Indian naval facilities. IRIS Lavan arrived with 183 crew members, while more than 50 remained in Kochi after the vessel’s extended stay.
The ship had been operating in the region alongside Iranian frigate IRIS Dena in connection with the International Fleet Review and MILAN 2026. While returning to Iran, IRIS Dena sank near Sri Lanka on March 4 after being struck by a torpedo fired from a US submarine, with at least 87 people reported killed.
India subsequently repatriated non-essential IRIS Lavan crew members on March 14. The sailors travelled on a Turkish airline aircraft that had arrived in Kochi after transporting the bodies of sailors from IRIS Dena.
The prolonged presence of IRIS Lavan reflects the disruption caused by the conflict and the circumstances surrounding the loss of its sister ship. The vessel continues to remain at Kochi while the wider regional security situation remains unsettled.
