India Requests Consular Access for Ten Nationals Held in Iran
The Ministry of External Affairs made a formal request on Friday. India asked Iran for consular access to ten Indian nationals currently in custody. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the development during his weekly media briefing.
Official Statement from MEA Spokesperson
Randhir Jaiswal stated clearly that ten people have been taken into custody. He emphasized that India has asked for consular access for these Indian nationals. The request aims to ensure their welfare and proper legal representation.
Background of the Iran Detentions
This request follows earlier reports about sixteen Indian crew members from the vessel MT Valiant Roar. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps detained these crew members. The incident occurred on December 8, 2025, in international waters near Dibba Port in the United Arab Emirates.
Iranian authorities accused the MT Valiant Roar of smuggling fuel. They claim the vessel carried six thousand metric tonnes of illicit fuel. The family of Third Engineer Ketan Mehta has appealed directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for intervention.
Diplomatic Conversations Between India and Iran
The external affairs minister recently held a conversation with the Iranian foreign minister. During this discussion, the Iranian side shared details about recent developments in the region. Iran has experienced significant unrest resulting in thousands of deaths.
India maintains diplomatic channels with Iran despite these challenging circumstances. The consular access request represents a standard diplomatic procedure. It allows Indian officials to directly assist citizens facing legal issues abroad.
Current Status and Next Steps
As of now, Iran has not publicly responded to India's consular access request. The situation remains fluid with ongoing developments in the region. Indian authorities continue to monitor the welfare of all detained nationals closely.
Families of the detained individuals await further updates from government officials. The Ministry of External Affairs typically provides updates as new information becomes available through official channels.
