India is urgently seeking early consular access to 16 Indian crew members who have been detained in Iran since December 2025. The crew was aboard the merchant vessel MT Valiant Roar, which was intercepted by Iranian authorities who accused it of fuel smuggling.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran has been actively engaging with Iranian authorities to secure consular access and legal assistance for the detained sailors. The Consulate of India in Bandar Abbas initially requested consular access on December 14, 2025, and has reiterated this request numerous times through diplomatic channels and in-person meetings. In addition to consular access, the embassy has requested that the crew be allowed to communicate with their families in India.

Adding to the diplomatic efforts, India has requested a UAE-based firm, Glory International FZ LLC/Prime Tankers LLC, the operator of the vessel, to arrange legal representation for the crew in Iranian courts. The Indian mission has also been in contact with the company's Iran-based agents, pressing them to ensure the provision of food, water, and fuel for the ship. After being informed that supplies were running low, the embassy intervened with Iranian authorities to provide emergency supplies of food and water in early January.

The families of the detained crew members are growing increasingly anxious, and have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for intervention to ensure the safe return of their loved ones. Communication with the crew has been sporadic since the vessel was intercepted on December 8, 2025, near Dibba port in the UAE.

Conflicting reports state that 10 of the crew members have been moved to Bandar Abbas prison. Other reports suggest the crew are technically "free to leave" but remain on board the vessel due to unresolved technical issues. The families claim that the crew members have been confined to a single mess room on the vessel and are only allowed to use the washroom under armed escort and that their personal belongings have been confiscated.

A plea has been filed with the Delhi High Court on behalf of the 16 seafarers, seeking urgent consular services and their repatriation to India. The court has directed the Central government to file a status report by January 21. The petition alleges that the Iranian navy assaulted and manhandled the crew members when they boarded the vessel and that the ship was sailing in international waters when it was intercepted.