New Delhi: India has firmly rejected claims circulating online that the United States is using Indian ports and naval facilities to carry out attacks on Iran. The clarification came after a video featuring former US Army officer Douglas Macgregor gained widespread attention on social media.
In the video, Macgregor suggested during a television interview that the United States Navy had begun relying on Indian ports after suffering damage to its own bases. The comments quickly spread online, prompting a response from the Ministry of External Affairs.
India’s foreign ministry dismissed the statement as inaccurate and warned against the spread of unfounded claims. Officials described the remarks as baseless and fabricated, emphasising that such misinformation could create unnecessary confusion during a period of heightened global tensions.
The response comes as the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States continues to intensify across the Middle East. India has expressed deep concern over the situation and urged all sides to exercise restraint, avoid further escalation and prioritise the protection of civilians.
Regional tensions surged after joint military strikes by the United States and Israel targeted locations in Iran, resulting in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Iran launched missile attacks toward Israel and at American military bases located in Gulf countries.
The conflict has also seen naval incidents far from the Gulf region. An Iranian warship, the IRIS Dena, was recently sunk in the Indian Ocean after being struck by a torpedo fired from a United States submarine. The vessel had previously visited India as part of a naval engagement.
The ongoing confrontation has entered its sixth day with no immediate signs of de escalation. Reports indicate that more than a thousand people have been killed in Iran since hostilities began, while casualties have also been reported in Israel and among American military personnel stationed in the region.
Leaders in Washington and Tel Aviv have defended the strikes, stating that the action was taken in response to what they described as an imminent threat from Iran. Meanwhile, India continues to call for diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and restoring stability in the region.
