The Indian government on Saturday strongly dismissed circulating social media claims suggesting that the United States had sought permission to launch bombing operations on Iran from Indian territory under the LEMOA pact. Officials described the reports as “baseless” and urged the public not to share unverified information.
In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs cautioned citizens, stating, “Please stay alert against such false and baseless claims and posts on social media!” Authorities emphasised that such narratives have no factual basis and reiterated the importance of verifying information, particularly amid sensitive geopolitical developments.
Signed in 2016, the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement allows India and the United States reciprocal access to each other’s military facilities for logistical purposes, including refuelling and maintenance. Indian officials stressed that the agreement does not authorise offensive military action from either country’s territory.
The rumours emerged after a US strike reportedly sank an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka, which sparked speculation about India’s potential involvement. New Delhi categorically denied these assertions, reaffirming that Indian ports and facilities were not used in any offensive operations.
This denial follows similar instances in the past where the government labelled claims about US use of Indian ports and airspace as “fake and false,” cautioning against the spread of misinformation.
Regional tensions have escalated sharply since February 28, when Israel and the United States conducted coordinated strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities, reportedly causing high-level casualties. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israeli and US targets, intensifying the conflict in West Asia.
Amid the crisis, the US sought permission from the United Kingdom to utilise British military bases for strikes on Iranian missile sites threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. London approved, while asserting it would not take a broader military role in the conflict. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised that the UK does not seek escalation, though it continues to explore options for supporting allies and securing maritime routes.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned his British counterpart against aiding US and Israeli military action, asserting that such involvement would heighten regional tensions, according to Xinhua news agency.
Indian authorities maintain that LEMOA remains a strictly logistical framework and that India is not involved in offensive operations. Officials reiterated the need for caution in consuming social media content, highlighting the potential dangers of misinformation in an already volatile international situation.
