The Islamic Republic of Iran Ship (IRIS) Lavan, which participated in International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026, has docked at Kochi after developing technical issues, according to Government sources cited by ANI.
Sources said Iran approached Indian authorities seeking urgent docking support for the vessel after it reported technical problems.
“This request was received on 28 February 2026, indicating that a docking at Kochi was urgent as the vessel had developed technical issues,” the sources said.
India granted approval for the docking on March 1, the sources added, as per the ANI report.
“Approval was accorded for the docking on 1 March. IRIS LAVAN has since docked at Kochi on 4 March,” the sources said.
The vessel’s crew of 183 personnel are currently being accommodated at naval facilities in Kochi.
“In this context, its crew of 183 are currently accommodated at naval facilities in Kochi,” the sources said.
Iranian naval presence linked to fleet exercises
According to the sources, IRIS Lavan was in the region as part of Iran’s naval participation in the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 and MILAN 2026, which took place between February 15 and February 25.
The docking request was made after the vessel experienced technical problems while operating in the region.
Sources also said that other naval ships were present in the area during the same period.
Timeline overlaps with West Asia conflict
The request from Iran was received on February 28, the same day that joint US-Israel military strikes on Iran began.
Sources said the Indian government approved the docking request on March 1, after the conflict had already begun.
The IRIS Lavan later arrived and docked in Kochi on March 4, according to the sources.
Iranian frigate IRIS Dena sinks near Sri Lanka
The docking development follows a separate incident involving another Iranian warship, IRIS Dena, which sank south of Sri Lanka on March 4 after being struck by a torpedo fired by a US submarine.
The incident occurred approximately 20 nautical miles west of Galle, off Sri Lanka’s southern coast.
IRIS Dena was carrying an estimated 180 crew members at the time of the attack.
According to the information provided, around 87 sailors are reported dead, while about 32 survivors were rescued by the Sri Lanka Navy and taken to hospitals in Galle.
Indian Navy joined search and rescue efforts
Following the sinking of IRIS Dena, the Indian Navy deployed multiple assets to assist the Sri Lanka-led search and rescue operation.
These included the sailing training ship INS Tarangini, the survey vessel INS Ikshak, and maritime patrol aircraft including P8I aircraft.
The deployment was part of the humanitarian search effort for missing crew members from the Iranian frigate.
Escalation in West Asia conflict
The naval incidents come amid escalating tensions in West Asia following joint US-Israel military strikes on Iranian territory that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures.
In response, Iran launched drone and missile attacks across several Arab countries, targeting American military bases and other assets in the region.
Israel has also intensified military operations targeting locations in Iran.
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