India has allowed the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Lavan to dock at the southern port city of Kochi after Tehran requested urgent assistance due to technical issues. The ship, which had participated in India’s International Fleet Review, arrived with 183 crew members who are currently being housed at Indian naval facilities. The development comes days after the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was torpedoed and sunk by a US submarine near the coast of Sri Lanka, killing dozens of sailors and escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. Officials said India’s decision reflects a humanitarian and pragmatic approach while balancing its strategic partnership with the US and longstanding ties with Iran. (PC: HT)

Mandana Karimi has announced she is leaving India, citing a lack of support and ongoing security concerns. In an Instagram video, the former Bigg Boss contestant said she cannot return to Iran because she has been banned from the country for the past decade. Her comments came after backlash over an interview discussing Iran and the death of Ali Khamenei. Karimi said she has been living under strict security measures and has kept her location private due to safety fears. She added that her recent social media posts aim to amplify Iranian voices rather than seek publicity, while reiterating that returning to Iran remains impossible for her.

At the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said the United States wants to expand trade with India but will avoid repeating past policy mistakes made with China. Referring to the February 2026 US-India interim tariff framework, negotiated under the “America First” approach of Donald Trump, Landau stressed that future agreements must protect American economic interests and remain fair to US citizens. He noted Washington previously supported China’s entry into global markets expecting mutual gains but later faced intense commercial competition. At the same time, Landau clarified that “America First” does not mean isolation, saying cooperation with partners like India remains essential for achieving shared geopolitical and economic objectives. (PC: X)

The ongoing conflict involving Iran has caused major disruptions to Middle East airspace, leading to a sharp rise in international airfares from Hyderabad. Airlines are rerouting flights to avoid conflict zones, increasing travel time and fuel costs. As a result, ticket prices on key routes have surged significantly. Direct flights between Hyderabad and London have reportedly climbed to nearly ₹2.5 lakh. Travel to other international destinations has also become more expensive due to limited seat availability and longer routes. Aviation experts say fares may remain elevated until regional airspace stabilises and normal flight operations resume. (PC: X)

A 33-year-old Mumbai seafarer, Dixit Amritlal Solanki, was killed after a missile struck the oil tanker MT MKD Vyom in the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions in West Asia. The tanker, carrying around 59,000 metric tonnes of gasoline, caught fire after the strike while sailing near the Oman coast. Solanki, who was working as an oiler and had joined the vessel in December 2025, went missing after the explosion and was later presumed dead. The remaining 21 crew members were safely rescued and taken to Muscat, Oman. The attack highlights growing security risks to commercial shipping routes in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. (PC: WION)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the rapidly worsening situation in West Asia amid the ongoing Iran-Israel-US conflict. During the call, both leaders expressed concern over rising hostilities and emphasized the urgent need for dialogue and diplomacy to reduce tensions. Modi said India and France would remain in close contact and coordinate efforts to support the early restoration of peace and stability in the region. The discussion reflects growing international concern about the conflict’s potential to destabilize global security, disrupt energy supplies, and trigger a wider regional war. (PC: Reuters)

The Indian Navy launched a search and rescue mission after receiving a distress call from Iranian warship IRIS Dena, struck by a US torpedo on March 4 within Sri Lanka’s exclusive economic zone, about 19 nautical miles off Galle. The vessel, returning from the Milan 2026 naval exercise in Visakhapatnam, had at least 130 personnel aboard; over 80 were killed and 32 rescued by Sri Lanka. India deployed a long-range maritime patrol aircraft, kept another aircraft with air-droppable life rafts on standby, and sent INS Tarangini and INS Ikshak to augment efforts. The Navy said the ship had left Indian waters on February 25 and sought no assistance before the conflict began. (PC: AP)

India formally conveyed condolences on the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking a subtle shift from its earlier silence on the US-Israel airstrikes in Tehran. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Iran’s ambassador in New Delhi and signed the condolence book. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s call for dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes. The move follows domestic opposition criticism and comes amid escalating regional tensions, including Iran’s announcement restricting Strait of Hormuz access to US, Israeli and European vessels, raising implications for India’s energy and strategic interests.

The Embassy of India in Doha has issued a fresh advisory urging Indian nationals in Qatar to strictly follow safety instructions amid escalating Gulf tensions. Citizens have been advised to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary movement, stay away from windows and balconies, and rely only on official updates. The mission has added an additional 24x7 helpline and confirmed temporary suspension of flight operations at Hamad International Airport following Qatari airspace closure. Qatar Airways will issue its next update at 0900 hrs (Doha time) on March 6. Meanwhile, Kuwait announced automatic one-month visit visa extensions and three-month absence permits for residents abroad under exceptional circumstances, with full fee exemptions.

India on Thursday offered condolences over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited the Iranian embassy and signed the book of condolence. Khamenei, 86, was killed in joint US and Israeli strikes in Iran earlier this week. His death was first announced by US President Donald Trump. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. He shared the update in a post on X. India had earlier not issued a statement on Khamenei’s death. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called for an early end to hostilities. (PC: India Today)