The Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Union government on a plea by family members of 16 Indian seafarers detained by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on December 8, 2025. The seafarers were on a vessel in international waters near Dibba port, Dubai, when detained. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav said, "This petition is by the family members of sixteen Indian nationals who have been detained in the Islamic Republic of Iran, for directions to the respondent-Union of India to take steps to provide consular access to the detained persons and to secure timely completion of investigation and their repatriation to India." Petitioners claim no regular legal, financial, or consular help has been provided by the Ministry of External Affairs despite month-long requests. Ten seafarers are held in Bandar Abbas prison; eight remain aboard the vessel. The Consulate General of India in Bandar Abbas said Iran has not allowed consular access. The court noted the seafarers have been detained for over 30 days without formal orders or grounds, violating the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, signed by both India and Iran. Families say the crew have been confined to a single mess room, allowed washroom access only under armed guard, and all personal devices have been confiscated. Iran accuses the seafarers of smuggling diesel. The vessel, MT Valiant Roar, owned by Glory International FZ LLC/Prime Tankers LLC, Dubai, was carrying Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO). The cargo was loaded via ship-to-ship transfers in Fujairah Port, UAE. The vessel was in international waters when intercepted. According to the petition, Captain Vijay Kumar sent a distress voicemail on December 8 stating that the vessel was chased by Iranian Revolutionary Guards. The captain refused to lower the pilot ladder, asserting the right of innocent passage. The Iranian Navy reportedly fired heavily, damaging the vessel and assaulting crew members. The incident was reported to the Directorate General of Shipping on December 12, urging the MEA and the Indian Embassy in Tehran to intervene. The next hearing is set for January 21, 2026.