INDIA REJECTS IRAN 'VESSEL SWAP' CLAIM, CALLS REPORT BASELESS

India on Tuesday rejected claims of a deal with Iran over Hormuz passage, calling them baseless while stepping up talks to secure stranded ships.

- TDG NETWORK

India rejects Hormuz 'vessel swap' claims; pushes diplomacy amid widening West Asia conflict New Delhi: India on Tuesday dismissed as “baseless” reports claiming Iran had sought the return of three vessels seized by Indian authorities in exchange for ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, even as New Delhi continued diplomatic engagement to secure stranded ships and deescalate the spiralling West Asia conflict.

Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said no such proposal had been discussed with Tehran, clarifying that the vessels in question were neither Iranian-owned nor crewed, and were not tankers. He added that India remains in talks with Iran and other stakeholders to ensure the safe return of ships currently in the Hormuz region.