Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Eight of the 16 Indian sailors held in Iran have been released and will be able to travel back to India soon after completing the necessary formalities, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on February 5. Addressing a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India is in touch with the Iranian authorities for the release of remaining eight sailors and have assured full support to them.
“We’ve had consular access. Our Consulate in Bandar Abbas, our officials in Bandar Abbas, they have gone and met them. Of those 16, eight people, this is what we have been informed by the Iranian authorities, eight of them have been released and they will be returning home as and when necessary formalities…for their travel is completed. In regard to the remaining eight sailors, we are in touch with the Iranian authorities. We will see how best to support them for whatever need they may have,” Jaiswal told reporters.
On January 17, the Indian Embassy in Tehran stated that it was informed regarding the detention of the vessel MT Valiant Roar, with 16 Indian crew members on board, by Iranian authorities in mid-December. According to the statement, Indian consulate in Bandar Abbas had made multiple requests to the Iranian authorities, seeking consular access to the crew.
In a statement shared on X, Indian Embassy in Tehran stated, “Around mid-December 2025, Mission was informed about the detention of the vessel MT Valiant Roar by Iranian authorities, with 16 Indian crew-members on board. The Consulate of India in Bandar Abbas immediately (on 14 December) wrote to the Government of Iran seeking Consular Access to the crew.”