India dismisses US media report on American forces using Indian ports to strike Iran
The clarification came after former US Army colonel Douglas Macgregor made the claim during an interview with US-based channel One America Open News (OAN).
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has dismissed as "fake and fabricated" a report claiming that the United States is using Indian ports to launch attacks against Iran amid the ongoing military escalation in the Middle East.
The clarification came after former US Army colonel Douglas Macgregor made the claim during an interview with US-based channel One America Open News (OAN).
During the interview, Macgregor alleged that the United States was relying on Indian ports after its own bases and harbour facilities had been damaged.
"All of our bases have been destroyed. Our harbour installations are destroyed. We are actually having to fall back on India and Indian ports, which is less than ideal; that is what the navy says," he was quoted as saying.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
However, the MEA's fact-check account on social media platform X rejected the claim, calling it "fake and false".
"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 against such baseless and fabricated comments," the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry also shared screenshots from the interview on its X account, marking them as fake news and issuing a caution against spreading unverified claims.
Earlier, India expressed "deep concern" over the escalating tensions in the Middle East and urged all parties to exercise restraint, avoid further escalation, and ensure the safety of civilians.
