India has strongly rejected as “baseless” a viral claim that the United States is using its naval ports to launch strikes against Iran amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The claim originated from a video interview of retired US Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor on One America News Network (OAN). In the clip, Macgregor alleged that, with US bases and harbor facilities destroyed, American naval forces are now relying on Indian ports. He said, “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.”

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) quickly dismissed the report via its official FactCheck account on X (formerly Twitter), calling the claims “fake and false” and warning against “baseless and fabricated comments.” The response reflects New Delhi’s focus on countering misinformation on sensitive national security and international issues.

The controversy comes amid a sharp escalation in the US-Israel-Iran conflict, triggered last Saturday by joint American-Israeli strikes on Iran, which killed the country’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with missile attacks on Israel and US bases in the Gulf. On Tuesday night, a US submarine reportedly sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka—the first such submarine strike on a surface vessel since World War II—resulting in 87 deaths. Casualties continue to rise, with over 1,000 reported in Iran, around a dozen in Israel, and at least six US troops killed.

US President Donald Trump defended the pre-emptive strikes, describing America’s performance as “15 out of 10,” and claiming Iran posed an imminent threat. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framed the conflict as a necessary response, insisting it would not be “an endless war.” The region remains tense, with Iran’s missile attacks—including cluster bombs—raising concerns about technological support from Russia and China, while oil markets face potential disruptions.

For India, the MEA’s swift denial underscores its effort to protect strategic autonomy, maintain stable relations with the US and Israel, and avoid being drawn into a volatile conflict near its maritime interests in the Indian Ocean. Analysts note that Macgregor’s unverified claims demonstrate how retired military voices can amplify misinformation online, often faster than official clarifications. Observers will continue monitoring India’s stance as the conflict unfolds, especially given its growing defense cooperation with the US through the Quad and bilateral agreements.