New Delhi: A central government source on Monday dismissed as “baseless” a report which claimed that India and Iran had discussed the release of three ships seized by New Delhi in return for ensuring safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The source also rejected claims that the ships were owned by Iran.“This report is baseless. There have been no discussions of this nature between Indian and Iranian officials. In any case, the three ships are not Iranian-owned,” the source said.

Earlier, a Reuters report said Iran has asked India to release three seized tanker ships in return for ensuring safe passage of India-bound ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing Gulf crisis caused by the United States and Israel’s attacks on Iran. The report quoted sources as saying that Iran’s ambassador to India met Foreign Ministry officials on Monday to discuss the matter. In February Indian coastal authorities seized three oil tankers reportedly sanctioned by the United States. The ships were stopped off the Mumbai coast and taken for investigation on suspicion of being involved in illegal oil trade.The so-called “shadow fleet” ships – Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star and Al Jafzia – were seized on 6 February.Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz cannot be used to launch attacks on Tehran and indicated that the movement of ships through the strategic waterway could be subject to certain conditions. Iranian officials said ships would be allowed to pass only under special circumstances, due to what they described as insecurities created by Israel and the United States, adding that Iran’s armed forces monitor the route and would prevent it from being used for military action against the country.Since the beginning of the US and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February, Tehran has launched retaliatory attacks across the region, including targeting ships attempting to transit the strait. Three Indian sailors died in these incidents, while another is missing.