Indian embassy says vessel with 16 Indian crew members detained in Iran, seeks consular access

Regarding detention of a Merchant Vessel (MT VALIANT ROAR) with Indian Crew members, by Iranian Authorities.@MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy pic.twitter.com/9h1YV1rGd6

— India in Iran (@India_in_Iran) January 17, 2026

Informing about the consular access, the Indian embassy said in a post on X said, “The request for consular access has been repeated numerous times since then, both by diplomatic correspondence and in-person meetings in Bandar Abbas and Tehran, including at the level of the Ambassador. The Iranian authorities were also requested to allow the crew to communicate with their families in India.”

The Indian embassy informed that the consulate established contact with the UAE-based company which owns the ship on December 15 and since then, “has subsequently been in touch with the Iran-based agents of the company, to press upon the company to ensure provision of food, water and fuel for the ship, and also to arrange legal representation for the crew in Iranian courts.”

The embassy further stated that the Mission was informed about depleting food and water stocks on the detained ship and it intervened with the Iranian navy to provide emergency supplies of food and water in early January.

The Indian Consulate in Dubai has also been trying to press upon the ship owning company to ensure legal representation for the detained crew and arrange regular supplies of provisions to the ship. The embassy said that the matter is expected to be subject to judicial process in Iran.

“However, the Mission and the Consulate continue to press the Iranian authorities to grant early consular access to the crew, and to ensure expeditious completion of the judicial proceedings,” the post added.