New Delhi5 March. Amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has completely denied sensational reports alleging that the US Navy is using Indian ports as a base for its operations to target Iran.
This denial came through a clear social media post from the official FactCheck handle of the Ministry of External Affairs. It showed India’s commitment to neutrality and fact-based diplomacy in a volatile global environment.
The controversy began when One America News (OAN), a conservative American-based television network known for its inflammatory coverage, claimed that Indian Navy bases, particularly the western ports of Mumbai and Kochi, were being used by American warships to attack Iranian assets.
The news channel’s segment, which featured an anonymous ‘military source’ and was viewed by millions, led to speculation that this covert cooperation was part of a larger Indo-US strategic turn against Tehran’s influence in the Persian Gulf. The report spread quickly on platforms like X and Telegram, fueling speculation and drawing strong reactions from netizens across South Asia and the Middle East.
The Ministry of External Affairs FactCheck account responded strongly, saying, ‘The claims being made on US-based channel OAN that the US Navy is using Indian ports are fake and false. We caution you from such baseless and fabricated comments.
Fake News Alert!
Claims being made on OAN, a US based channel that Indian ports are being used by the US Navy are fake and false. We caution you against such baseless and fabricated comments. pic.twitter.com/xiFWnkoXBk
— MEA FactCheck (@MEAFactCheck) March 4, 2026
This clarification by New Delhi further strengthens its role as a stabilizing force. This stance is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘multi-alignment’ foreign policy, which balances relations with the US and India, its main defense partners. It also improves relations with Iran, which is an important energy supplier and partner in Chabahar Port.
The Ministry of External Affairs appealed to the public to verify sources and report falsehoods and ended the post with ‘an appeal for responsible journalism in difficult times.’ India’s image as a non-aligned power broker following the strong response from the Ministry of External Affairs, rapid fact-checking also highlights the need to enhance media literacy campaigns at the domestic level.
Comments are closed.