The Indian Embassy in Tehran has escalated diplomatic engagements with Iranian authorities to secure consular access to sixteen Indian crew members detained aboard the merchant vessel MT Valiant Roar. Despite persistent diplomatic correspondence and high-level meetings initiated since December 14, 2025, Iranian officials have yet to grant access to the detained seafarers.
The maritime incident occurred in international waters near Dibba Port, UAE, on December 8, 2025, when Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intercepted the vessel alleging involvement in smuggling approximately 6,000 metric tons of fuel. The Indian Consulate in Bandar Abbas immediately activated diplomatic channels upon notification of the detention in mid-December.
Ambassadorial-level interventions in both Bandar Abbas and Tehran have emphasized the urgency of permitting communication between crew members and their families in India. Concurrently, Indian diplomatic missions have coordinated with the UAE-based ship-owning company to ensure legal representation and continuous provision of essential supplies.
Critical humanitarian interventions include the emergency provisioning of food, water, and fuel supplies facilitated through coordination with the Iranian navy in early January 2026. The Indian Consulate in Dubai continues to pressure the vessel’s ownership company to maintain regular provisions and secure competent legal defense for the ongoing judicial proceedings in Iranian courts.
The diplomatic statement emerged following emotional appeals from families of detained crew members, including Third Engineer Ketan Mehta, who publicly sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention for their relatives’ safe return. Indian authorities maintain that while the matter remains subject to Iran’s judicial process, they continue advocating for expedited proceedings and immediate consular access.