Navy keeps eye on Iranian ship anchored off Kerala coast

A strict watch is being kept on MV Assa, which is lying in the Indian exclusive economic zone, government sources said in New Delhi.

The defence and the external affairs ministries were informed about the presence of the ship soon after it was observed there, they said. The type of cargo being carried by the ship is also not known.

India's EEZ extends till 200 nautical miles where it has exclusive right to resources but cannot interfere with commercial ships passing through from this zone. They said the ship has been lying between Kochi and Lakshadweep Islands for around a month and may have developed some snag in its engine.

Sources said as per international practices, navy can question the merchant vessels passing through country's EEZ but this ship has not been questioned so far.

An Iranian vessel named MV Assa is also in the sanctions list of the United States and the United Kingdom but it is not clear whether it is the same vessel.