New Delhi, March 16 -- The Indian Navy has deployed two task forces of warships to help in the safe transit of merchant vessels and tankers bringing gas and crude oil to India after crossing the Strait of Hormuz near Iran. All possible assistance and support are being provided to the vessels that are being escorted by the Indian Navy, as per sources.

The reports said that Iran asked India for the exchange of three tankers seized by it in exchange for permitting the safe passage of Indian-flagged or India-bound ships from the Strait of Hormuz.

As per reports, India had earlier seized those tankers, alleging they had concealed or altered their identities and were involved in illegal ship-to-ship transfers at sea. Indian authorities seized...