NEW DELHI, 22 March 2026 : The Indian government on Saturday firmly rejected what it described as “baseless claims” circulating on social media that the United States had sought permission from India under the LEMOA pact to launch bombing raids on Iran from the western parts of the country.
The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), signed between India and the US in 2016, allows the two countries to access each other’s military facilities for logistical support such as refuelling and repairs.
The Ministry of External Affairs cautioned citizens against misinformation, stating in a post on X, “Please stay alert against such false and baseless claims and posts on social media!”
Officials have repeatedly reiterated that such assertions have no factual basis and urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified content, especially on sensitive geopolitical developments.
The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), however, does not permit either side to carry out offensive military operations from the other’s territory, a position that has been consistently clarified by Indian authorities.
The false narrative gained traction in the backdrop of recent developments, including a US military strike that reportedly sank an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka, triggering speculation about India’s possible involvement.
New Delhi has categorically denied any role and made it clear that its ports or facilities were not used for such actions.
The controversy also follows earlier instances where the government dismissed similar claims about the use of Indian ports or airspace by US forces as “fake and false”, cautioning against the spread of fabricated information.
Picture credit social media
