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Eight of the 16 Indian crew members of the 'Valian Roar' were released by Iranian authorities, an Indian official said on Feb 5. The vessel was detained by Iranian authorities, along with the crew. in international waters off the Dibba Port of the UAE by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Dec. 8, 2025, which alleged that the “tanker was reportedly smuggling 6,000 tonnes of fuel.” Consular access was granted to the detained sailors in Iran. The released seafarers were to return home when the necessary formalities for the travel have been completed. With regards to the remaining eight sailors, the Indian diplomatic mission was in touch with the Iranian authorities to see how best to support them for whatever need they may have. Letters were sent after the release of the tanker, that the ship was completely unseaworthy with navigational and communication instruments damaged or non- functional. It was recommended to evacuate the crew from board.

Eight of the 16 Indian crew members of the 'Valian Roar' were released by Iranian authorities, an Indian official said on Feb 5. The vessel was detained by Iranian authorities, along with the crew. in international waters off the Dibba Port of the UAE by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Dec. 8, 2025, which alleged that the “tanker was reportedly smuggling 6,000 tonnes of fuel.” Consular access was granted to the detained sailors in Iran. The released seafarers were to return home when the necessary formalities for the travel have been completed. With regards to the remaining eight sailors, the Indian diplomatic mission was in touch with the Iranian authorities to see how best to support them for whatever need they may have.

The families of the 16 Indian crew members of the 'Valiant Roar', who have been held in Iran since Dec 8, 2025, were anxious about the fate of their relaitves, as the geopolitical situation in the region remaind tense. They have approached the Delhi high court, asking it to issue urgent directions to the government to secure consular access and ensure their safe return. The 'Valiant Roar' was seized, while it was in international waters. Iran authorities alleged that the ship, operated by Dubai-based Prime Tankers LLC, was carrying 6,000 metric tonnes of illegal diesel. The company has denied this. Apart from the 16 Indians, the tanker had one person each from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on board. ten of the Indian crew members have been arrested and moved to a jail in Bandar Abbas while the others remained on board the ship. The ministry has now gained consular access to the ten arrested men. The Iranian side would facilitate access to the six Indian seafarers on board the vessel once requisite clearances are received from the Iranian Navy/Prosecutor's office. Relatives of the detained crew members alleged they have been confined to a tiny room on the vessel without proper food or potable drinking water. While most of their laptops and phones have been taken away, one phone was returned, allowing them to have limited contact with their families. While Iran had granted approval for consular access to the arrested Indians on Jan 10, this did not happen at that time, presumably, due to the prevailing situation in Iran.

16 Indian crew members of the 'Valiant Roar' were taken into custody by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), after the tanker was intercepted by the IRGC on Dec 8, 2025, in the international waters near Dibba Port, UAE. The Iranian authorities have accused the vessel of smuggling 6,000 tons of fuel. Ketan Mehta, one of the crew members, last spoke to his parents on New Year's Eve, assuring them he was safe. Having lost his phone, Ketan communicated via a colleague, an oiler named Pothi Diwakar. When the father recently managed to contact Diwakar, he was told that the IRGC had officially arrested 10 crew members, including Ketan. His family contacted the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy.