India denies claim of US using its ports amid Iran war, calls it ‘fake and false’

India on Wednesday rejected a viral claim that the US Navy is using Indian ports amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, calling it “fake and false.”

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a clarification through its fact-check unit on social media platform X, dismissing the allegation circulating online.

“Claims being made on One America News Network that Indian ports are being used by the US Navy are fake and false,” the ministry said in a post. It also cautioned people against sharing what it described as “baseless and fabricated” claims.

What was the claim?

During a segment on One America News Network, retired US Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor alleged that American forces were relying on Indian ports amid the escalating conflict. Speaking to former US Congressman Matt Gaetz, Macgregor claimed that China and Russia were monitoring the conflict and sharing satellite intelligence with Iran.

He further alleged that US bases and harbour installations in the Middle East had been destroyed, forcing the US Navy to “fall back on India, Indian ports,” a claim the Indian government has now firmly denied.

Conflict spreads toward the Indian Ocean

Meanwhile, the conflict has expanded toward the Indian Ocean region. An Iranian frigate was reportedly torpedoed and sunk by a US submarine in waters near Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

The vessel was identified as IRIS Dena by Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. Reports said at least 80 people were killed, while nearly 150 others were missing after the attack.

The warship had recently participated in a multinational naval exercise and an international fleet review hosted by India in New Delhi days before the incident.