KOCHI: Nearly 100 members of the crew of Iranian naval ship IRIS Lavan, docked at Kochi port, have left India via Kochi airport, persons in the know here said. There was, however, no formal confirmation from Southern Naval Command. According to the sources, the Iranian crew members left Kochi airport on an aircraft that came from Colombo. The plane departed Kochi airport late on Friday. The sources did not disclose the aircraft’s destination. The warship and its remaining crew are still in Kochi.The ship was in the region for the International Fleet Review. Nearly 183 crew members were accommodated at naval facilities here. It was days before the sinking of IRIS Dena on March 4 by a US submarine south of Sri Lanka that India was approached by Iran to give the ship safe harbour.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Israel says struck over 200 targets in Iran; drone hits residential apartment in Beirut’About to surrender’: Trump makes big claim on Iran, says US ‘got rid of a cancer threatening us all’2 Indians killed, 10 injured in Iranian drone attack in Oman, says MEAIran’s request for IRIS Lavan, received on Feb 28, the day US and Israel launched their ‘Epic Fury’ offensive, said docking at Kochi was urgent as the vessel had developed “technical” issues.Approval was accorded on March 1. IRIS Lavan docked at Kochi on March 4.New Delhi’s decision perhaps helped IRIS Lavan escape the fate that befell IRIS Dena, which was torpedoed and sunk in international waters by a US submarine. At least 87 Iranian sailors were killed in the attack.About the AuthorDisney TomDisney Tom is a senior correspondent with The Times of India in Kochi. He writes on a range of issues including crime, courts, religion, and culture. He joined The Times of India in 2015 through campus placement from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. He likes to travel and write about people and places.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Would Never Recover’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan, Cites BrahMos Strike In Op SindoorPM Modi Invokes Nehru To Accuse Congress Of Spreading Misinformation During US-Iran War CrisisMajor Diplomatic Win For India: Iran Envoy Fathali Signals Safe Passage For Indian Ships At Hormuz2 Indians Killed, 10 Injured In Oman Drone Attack; MEA Shares Latest On Citizens In GulfWhite House Tug-Of-War Over How To Declare Victory; Is Putin The Biggest Winner In Iran War?TMC Bid To Meet President Murmu Gets Snubbed By Rashtrapati Bhavan After Protocol ControversyAs LPG Shortage Panic Spreads, Centre Urges Citizens Not To Hoard Cylinders And Opt For PNGMenstrual Leave Debate Explodes As Supreme Court Warns Of Hiring Bias Against Women’Glad India Taking Initiative’: Cong MP Shashi Tharoor Lauds PM Modi’s Outreach To Iran PresidentEAM Jaishankar Holds Fourth Call With Iran Foreign Minister Amid Rising Strait Of Hormuz Tensions123Photostories10 ways to add Moringa to your daily meals in March and why it’s the perfect timeFrom undergoing seven painful IVF procedures to a pregnancy photoshoot before her miscarriage, Sambhavna Seth opens up about her difficult IVF journeyHow to identify sweet coconut water before buying a coconut6 easy kitchen hacks to clean gas burners and reduce LPG wastageQueues, panic and pressure: How Middle East tensions triggered India’s LPG alarmChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares how to recreate the most searched recipes at home5 luxury cars with massaging seats that make long drives relaxingEating too fast may be hurting your digestion and weight: Doctors explain the 20-minute ruleChefs share 5 tips which can make any boring meal super tasty7 Indian meals that require very little LPG to cook123Hot PicksGold Price PredictionIndian RupeeStock Market TodayGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingPatrick MahomesBrittany Mahomes Net WorthWilt ChamberlainMovsar EvloevMichael BispingLPG Crisis IndiaMadison Pettis GirlfriendIran US WarIPL 2026 Chennai Super KingsMiddle East War
KOCHI: Nearly 100 members of the crew of Iranian naval ship IRIS Lavan, docked at Kochi port, have left India via Kochi airport, persons in the know here said. There was, however, no formal confirmation from Southern Naval Command. According to the sources, the Iranian crew members left Kochi airport on an aircraft that came from Colombo. The plane departed Kochi airport late on Friday. The sources did not disclose the aircraft’s destination. The warship and its remaining crew are still in Kochi.The ship was in the region for the International Fleet Review. Nearly 183 crew members were accommodated at naval facilities here. It was days before the sinking of IRIS Dena on March 4 by a US submarine south of Sri Lanka that India was approached by Iran to give the ship safe harbour.Iran’s request for IRIS Lavan, received on Feb 28, the day US and Israel launched their ‘Epic Fury’ offensive, said docking at Kochi was urgent as the vessel had developed “technical” issues.Approval was accorded on March 1. IRIS Lavan docked at Kochi on March 4.New Delhi’s decision perhaps helped IRIS Lavan escape the fate that befell IRIS Dena, which was torpedoed and sunk in international waters by a US submarine. At least 87 Iranian sailors were killed in the attack.