The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a stern “Fake News Alert” to debunk viral social media claims suggesting that the United States had sought or received permission to launch military strikes against Iran from western India. The rumors, which gained traction on platforms like X and WhatsApp, alleged that Washington was invoking the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) to use Indian soil or naval bases for offensive bombing raids. However, the MEA’s official fact-check handle categorically dismissed these assertions as “baseless and fabricated,” clarifying that the 2016 logistics pact is strictly limited to refueling, repairs, and mutual supplies and does not permit the basing of foreign troops or the launch of offensive military operations from Indian territory.
The surge in misinformation follows a highly volatile period in West Asia, including a reported U.S. submarine strike on the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean earlier this month. Some viral posts even suggested the U.S. Navy was “falling back” on Indian ports because its regional installations had been compromised—a claim the MEA explicitly labeled as false. Government officials have urged citizens to remain vigilant against such geopolitical propaganda, emphasizing that India maintains a neutral stance and prioritizes the safety of the millions of Indian nationals residing in the Gulf. By swiftly addressing these fabrications, New Delhi aims to prevent the domestic spread of panic and safeguard its diplomatic equities in a region currently on a hair trigger.