India refutes reports of Iran seeking ‘release’ of vessels for allowing safe passage

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday dismissed as “baseless” reports which suggested that Iran is seeking release of three ‘oil tankers’ seized by India in return for ensuring safe passage to Indian-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and said there has been “no discussion” of this nature between Indian and Iranian authorities.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, at an inter-ministerial briefing here on the West Asia situation, also said the three vessels being referred to are “not Iranian-owned” and “neither there are any Iranian crew” on them.
“This report is baseless. There have been no discussion, let me underline it, there has been no discussion between Indian and Iranian authorities of this nature. I would also like to say that the three vessels that you referred to are not Iranian-owned, neither there are any Iranian crew on these vessels… And, these are not tankers, they are vessels,” he said.
India’s coastal authorities reportedly seized three US-sanctioned oil tankers with alleged links to Iran.
One report claimed that the “three tankers” were seized in February.
India has been in touch with Tehran to ensure safe transit of over 20 Indian-flagged merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
Jaiswal, in response to another query, said, “We are in talks with Iran and other countries, and many ships are still there in the Strait of Hormuz. And, we intend to bring those ships back home safely.”