Politics

Families of 16 Indian sailors held in Iran since December are worried about their loved ones as tensions rise in the region. On December 8, Iranian authorities took control of an oil tanker, MT Valiant Roar, while it was in international waters. They claimed the ship, which is operated by Prime Tankers LLC based in Dubai, was carrying 6,000 metric tonnes of illegal diesel, a charge the company denies. In addition to the 16 Indians, the crew includes one person each from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The families have approached the Delhi high court for urgent help, asking the government to ensure they can visit the sailors and secure their safe return. Documents from India’s foreign ministry reveal that 10 of the Indian crew members have been arrested and taken to a prison in Iran, while the others remain on the ship. The ministry confirmed that it has gained access to the 10 men held in Bandar Abbas prison. It stated that the Indian embassy has been informed that the Iranian authorities will allow access to the six Indian sailors still on the vessel once they get the required permissions from the Iranian Navy and Prosecutor’s office. Relatives of the detained sailors claim that they are stuck in a small room on the ship without enough food or clean drinking water. Most of their laptops and phones have been confiscated, but one phone was returned, allowing them some limited communication with their families. The BBC has reached out to the Iranian embassy in Delhi to ask about these allegations but has yet to get a reply. Press Secretary Agha Mahdi Esfandiari said in a brief phone call that he had no information regarding the Indian crew members' arrest or detention in Iran. Additionally, the BBC has sent inquiries to the high commissions of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Delhi about their citizens on the ship.