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March 07, 2026 – India/Iran –
Indian police have arrested two journalists and a boat driver in the southern state of Kerala after they allegedly entered a restricted zone and filmed an Iranian vessel anchored at Kochi Port, authorities said.
The incident occurred on 7 March 2026 when a reporter and cameraman from the television network Republic TV were detained by security personnel while attempting to capture footage of the Iranian naval ship IRIS Lavan, which had docked at the port earlier in the week. The journalists had reportedly rented a boat and approached the vessel from the harbour area to take photographs and videos.
According to police, the journalists entered the Southern Coal Berth, a high-security zone within the Cochin Port complex on Willingdon Island, without authorization at around 7:50 a.m. Security officials from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) detected the boat in the restricted area and detained the three individuals before handing them over to the Harbour Police in Kochi.
Authorities said the group had taken photographs and video footage of the Iranian ship and attempted to circulate the visuals, which officials claimed could pose a potential security risk. Police subsequently registered a case against the reporter, the cameraman, and the boat driver under provisions of the Official Secrets Act and sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to criminal trespass and the wrongful communication of sensitive information.
The cameras used by the journalists were also seized as part of the investigation. Police said the three suspects would be produced before a local court while authorities examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Iranian naval vessel IRIS Lavan had arrived at Kochi Port days earlier after Iran requested permission from India for emergency anchorage due to technical issues. The ship had previously participated in an international fleet review in Visakhapatnam and was later allowed to dock in Kochi while repairs and logistical arrangements were carried out for its crew of more than 180 personnel.
Security around the ship had been heightened because of the sensitivity of the situation and the broader regional tensions involving Iran and Western powers. Authorities have therefore restricted access to the harbour area and naval installations surrounding the vessel.
The arrests have drawn attention to the legal risks journalists can face when reporting near sensitive military or strategic locations, particularly in contexts involving national security or international diplomatic developments. Investigations into the case are ongoing.
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