Iranian Warship Stranded in Indian Ocean Seeks Emergency Aid From Sri Lanka

Tensions have escalated in the Indian Ocean as an Iranian warship requested emergency assistance and permission to enter Sri Lankan territorial waters. This development follows a confirmed military engagement where a US Navy submarine targeted and sank another Iranian vessel, the IRIS DENA. According to Sri Lankan officials, the second Iranian ship is currently positioned in the international waters near the island nation, awaiting a formal response to its distress signal and request for entry.

US Submarine Torpedo Attack Details

The situation originated on Wednesday when a US submarine launched a torpedo attack against the Iranian warship IRIS DENA in the Indian Ocean. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the operation, stating that the vessel was intercepted and sunk in international waters. The attack caused significant casualties and led to an immediate search and rescue operation in the region. The IRIS DENA was part of a naval fleet that was reportedly returning to Iran after participating in maritime exercises near Visakhapatnam, India.

Official Response from Sri Lankan Government

Sri Lankan government spokesperson and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa addressed the situation in Parliament following inquiries from Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. Jayatissa confirmed that the government is aware of the second Iranian vessel's presence in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). He stated that while the ship remains outside territorial waters, it has formally requested emergency aid. The minister emphasized that the government is evaluating the situation with a focus on regional peace and the safety of the personnel on board the vessel.

Casualty Recovery and Rescue Operations

Following the sinking of the IRIS DENA, the Sri Lankan Navy conducted extensive recovery operations off the southern coast. Officials reported the recovery of approximately 80 bodies of Iranian sailors from the site of the attack. The total death toll is estimated to be around 84. Sri Lankan naval units were instrumental in rescuing several survivors who were found drifting in the water after the torpedo strike. These survivors were immediately transported to the mainland for urgent medical intervention.

Medical Treatment and Hospital Reports

The survivors of the naval attack are currently receiving medical treatment at the Karapitiya Hospital in Galle. Hospital sources have indicated that the injuries sustained by the crew members aren't life-threatening, and their conditions are being monitored closely. Simultaneously, the bodies of the deceased sailors have been moved to the same facility for post-mortem examinations. Sri Lankan authorities are coordinating with Iranian diplomatic representatives to manage the repatriation of the deceased and the welfare of the survivors.

Regional Security and Fleet Movement

The Iranian naval fleet was traversing a critical maritime corridor in the Indian Ocean at the time of the engagement, while while the Sri Lankan Navy has not specified the exact nature of the emergency message sent by the second vessel, the context of the US military action has placed the region on high alert. Sri Lanka has maintained that its involvement is strictly based on humanitarian grounds and the preservation of regional stability. The government continues to monitor the movement of the stranded vessel as it awaits further instructions regarding its entry into the national maritime boundary.