Sri Lanka Monitors Iranian Ship Amid Rising Tensions in West Asia

Sri Lankan Government's Response to Iranian Vessel

On Thursday, officials from the Sri Lankan government announced their efforts to ensure the safety of another Iranian ship located in international waters near the nation's maritime boundary.

Minister Nalinda Jayatissa clarified that the vessel is not within Sri Lankan territorial waters but is situated in the exclusive economic zone. He assured that both the government and the defense ministry are aware of the ship's presence.

Details regarding whether the ship had sustained damage or issued a distress signal to Sri Lankan authorities remain unclear.

This announcement follows an incident two days prior when a US submarine sank an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka.

The IRIS Dena was reportedly torpedoed in international waters, resulting in at least 87 fatalities and 61 individuals unaccounted for, while the Sri Lankan Navy successfully rescued 32 survivors.

The situation escalated following a military operation launched by Israel and the US against Iran, which began on Saturday. Israel has accused Iran of nearing nuclear weapon capabilities, a claim that Tehran disputes, asserting its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes.

In retaliation, Iran has targeted US military bases and major cities in the Gulf region.

During a session in Parliament, Jayatissa emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring the safety of those aboard the second Iranian ship, stating that a report would be provided upon the mission's completion.

He noted that the exclusive economic zone extends 12 nautical miles from Sri Lanka, allowing freedom of navigation for all nations.

Regarding the IRIS Dena incident, he mentioned it occurred 19 nautical miles from Sri Lanka, as reported by local media.

The Sri Lankan Navy initiated rescue operations upon receiving reports of bodies in the water, acting on humanitarian grounds without determining the cause of the incident at that time. A total of 32 individuals were rescued and taken to Karapitiya Hospital, with one in critical condition, while 84 bodies were recovered.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned the attack on the warship, labeling it as an unprovoked assault on a vessel that was a guest of the Indian Navy, warning that the US would regret this action.

The Iranian warship had participated in the International Fleet Review held in Vishakhapatnam from February 15 to February 25, where it was docked alongside ships from various nations.

As of now, New Delhi has not issued any statements regarding the incident.