Sri Lanka has repatriated more than 200 Iranian sailors who were left stranded after a deadly naval incident involving a US submarine attack, ending weeks of uncertainty for the crew.
Sri Lanka’s Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara confirmed that 238 sailors were flown back to Iran after being stuck in the country for over a month.
The group included 32 crew members from the warship Iris Dena and 206 from Irins Bushehr. The sailors had been temporarily housed in Sri Lankan military facilities after their ships became unable to continue their missions.
⚓ What happened at sea?
The Iranian warship Iris Dena sank on 4 March around 40km off Sri Lanka’s southern coast after reportedly being struck by a torpedo from a US submarine. The attack killed 104 sailors.
The vessel had been returning from a military exercise hosted by India when the incident occurred in international waters.
A day later, Sri Lanka took control of the Irins Bushehr after it requested emergency docking due to engine failure.
🏝️ Emergency response in Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan government granted 30-day visas to the stranded sailors and accommodated them in naval and air force camps while diplomatic arrangements were made.
Officials later confirmed that both groups were transported out of the country on Tuesday night.
About 15 Iranian sailors will remain temporarily in Sri Lanka to operate the Irins Bushehr, which is currently anchored off Trincomalee in the northeast of the island.
🌍 Diplomatic reaction
Sri Lanka maintained that its actions were guided by neutrality and humanitarian responsibility. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the country acted to protect human life while respecting international law.
He added that Sri Lanka’s response reflected its commitment to humanitarian values and its effort to balance neutrality with global obligations.
⚠️ Wider regional impact
The sinking of the Iris Dena came shortly after the outbreak of conflict involving the US and Iran, escalating tensions across the Middle East. The incident marked a sharp expansion of the crisis, which has since seen retaliatory strikes across the region.
Iran later repatriated the bodies of 84 sailors who were killed in the attack through a chartered flight.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as diplomatic and military tensions remain high in the region.
