Dhaka, March 7 -- Indian authorities have provided refuge to 183 sailors aboard the Iranian warship IRIS Lavan after the vessel requested urgent assistance amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict.

According to a Indian government official, the ship sent a distress call on February 28, the same day the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes on Iran, reports UNB, citing Al Jazeera.

India approved the ship's berthing in Kochi on March 1, and it has been docked there since March 4. The government has arranged accommodation for the sailors during their stay.

The announcement comes amid criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government after an Iranian ship, IRIS Dena, which had participated in Indian-hosted naval exercises, was t...