Claims of US Navy using Indian ports amid Iran tensions denied by New Delhi

Reports have emerged suggesting that the United States Navy is increasingly utilizing Indian ports for docking and unloading operations, allegedly as a response to rising tensions with Iran. These claims were made by Douglas Macgregor, a former senior adviser to the US Secretary of Defence, during a recent interview on One America News, familiar with the matter.

Macgregor, a retired US Army Colonel, argued that threats to American installations in the Persian Gulf have led to a shift in US military logistics, with a purported pivot towards Indian facilities. He suggested that this move could be part of broader American operations potentially linked to ongoing conflicts involving Iran. The remarks have generated significant discussion on social media platforms, particularly in South Asia, where observers are debating the potential implications for regional security and US-India relations.

However, Indian authorities have firmly rejected these assertions. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs, through its MEAFactCheck account on X, described the reports as "baseless and fabricated." The ministry stated that claims about Indian ports being used by the US Navy are "fake and false." Official statements from both India and the United States have not confirmed any such arrangement, and no further details have been provided by either government regarding the alleged use of Indian port facilities by US naval forces.

Sources indicate that the discussion has highlighted differing perspectives on the nature of US-India military cooperation, especially in the context of heightened tensions with Iran. While some commentators view the alleged shift as a significant development, Indian officials maintain that there is no truth to the reports. The situation continues to be monitored, with no new official statements issued as of now.