A claim has been making rounds on the internet, targetting India and Iran relations. The viral claim circulated by Pakistani users suggests that Iran is planning to block Indian ships in the Red Sea, raising concerns over maritime security.
A user named Assad Nasir has shared, “Iran plans to block Indian ships in the Red Sea, escalating maritime security concerns.”
Others users were also found sharing the similar claim.
Fact Check:
DFRAC conducted relevant keyword search on Google. Upon thorough investigation, the claim was found to be fake. There has been no official statement from the Iranian government indicating any such plans. Furthermore, no credible media outlets have reported on this issue, which further undermines the validity of the claim.
A review of Iran’s official diplomatic channels, including the verified Twitter page of the Iranian embassy in India (@Iran_in_india), showed no such announcement or even a hint of such intentions. This further confirms the baselessness of the claim.
What’s in the news?
The circulation of this claim coincides with recent tensions between India and Iran over comments made by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. During a speech on Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, Khamenei criticized the situation of Muslims globally, including in Myanmar, Gaza, and India. His remarks sparked a strong reaction from India.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India, through spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, issued a statement condemning Khamenei’s comments. India called these remarks “misinformed” and “unacceptable”. Additionally, urged other countries to focus on their own treatment of minorities before making statements about others.
Conclusion:
The viral claim that Iran is planning to block Indian ships in the Red Sea is entirely false and fabricated. There is no evidence or official confirmation to back up this claim. The ongoing diplomatic exchange between India and Iran regarding comments on minorities is unrelated to any maritime security issues.
