NEW DELHI — The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has officially refuted viral reports suggesting that the United States Navy is utilizing Indian ports as a fallback base amid escalating hostilities with Iran.
In a statement released via its dedicated fact-check unit on X (formerly Twitter), the Union Ministry labeled the assertions—originally aired by the US-based outlet One America News (OAN)—as "fake and false."
Origin of the Claim
The controversy stems from a news segment featuring Douglas Macgregor, a retired US Army Colonel and former advisor to the Secretary of Defense.
"US bases and harbor installations in the Middle East have been destroyed," Macgregor stated, adding that the US Navy was consequently forced to "fall back on India and Indian ports," a situation he described as "less than ideal."
Macgregor further alleged that Russia and China are actively providing satellite intelligence to Iran to facilitate strikes against Israeli and American interests.
Escalation in the Indian Ocean
The MEA’s denial comes at a time of heightened regional tension following a major maritime engagement in the Indian Ocean. On Wednesday, a US submarine reportedly torpedoed and sank the IRIS Dena, an Iranian frigate, in waters near Sri Lanka.
According to Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, the attack resulted in at least 80 fatalities, with nearly 150 personnel still missing. The sinking has drawn international scrutiny, particularly as the IRIS Dena had recently participated in a multi-nation naval exercise and an international fleet review hosted by India in New Delhi.
Strategic Context
While the US military has moved to expand its presence in the Indian Ocean to counter Iranian naval movements, the Indian government remains firm that its sovereign ports are not being used as a staging ground for US combat operations. Analysts suggest the MEA’s swift rebuttal is intended to maintain India’s strategic autonomy and prevent the country from being perceived as a direct belligerent in the widening West Asia conflict.
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