India denies use of its airspace by US for Iran strike, calls viral claim fake

The Central government on Sunday denied claims and reports on social media that the United States forces used Indian airspace to carry out airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities during Saturday night's Operation Midnight Hammer.

In an official statement, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) called the viral posts false. “Several social media accounts have claimed that Indian airspace was used by the United States to launch aircraft against Iran during Operation Midnight Hammer. This claim is FAKE,” the PIB said.

The government factchecking body added that during a press briefing, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine clearly explained the actual route used by the US aircraft involved in the operation, confirming that Indian airspace was not part of the mission path.


The clarification comes in the wake of what US officials have described as one of the largest and most sophisticated aerial operations in decades.

Operation Midnight Hammer, carried out late Saturday night, targeted Iran’s key nuclear infrastructure in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, using 75 precision-guided weapons, including 14 GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs, launched by stealth bombers and submarines.

Following the operation, several posts surfaced on social media platforms such as X claiming that the US bombers had followed a route into Iran through India. The claims gave rise to social media frenzy that India had allowed the use of its airspace for the attack.

Meanwhile, the PM Modi-led central government continues to maintain a balanced stance and calls for de-escalation of the tensions that have hit the Middle East.