U.S. respects Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, leaves decision on rescued Iranian sailors to Colombo

Posted by Editor on March 8, 2026 – 11:56 am

(Picture credit score: Courtesy of the respective house owners)

Twenty-two Iranian sailors have been launched from a Sri Lankan hospital on Sunday after being rescued from a warship sunk by a U.S. submarine.

The sailors had been receiving medical care at Karapitiya Hospital in Galle since Wednesday (March 4, 2026). They have been saved from life rafts after their ship, the IRIS Dena, was hit by a torpedo launched from a U.S. submarine simply outdoors Sri Lanka’s waters.

Whereas 22 males have been moved to a close-by seaside resort, 10 others stay within the hospital for remedy.

The incident has additionally left a heavy toll, with the our bodies of 84 Iranian sailors recovered from the ocean and dropped at the identical hospital.

Sri Lanka’s Response and Authorized Standing

The Sri Lankan authorities said that it’s following worldwide humanitarian legal guidelines to handle the survivors. Officers have additionally reached out to the Worldwide Committee of the Purple Cross (ICRC) for assist.

Regardless of the strain, Sri Lanka denied rumors that the USA was pressuring them to forestall the sailors from returning to Iran.

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Division confirmed that the U.S. respects Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and that the choice on the way to deal with the crew lies completely with Colombo.

Standing of Different Iranian Vessels

The IRIS Dena was not the one Iranian ship within the area. Two different vessels have been affected:

• IRIS Bushehr: This second ship was allowed to dock a day after the Dena was sunk. Its 219 crew members are presently staying at a navy camp in Welisara. Whereas the Sri Lankan Navy has taken over the ship and deliberate to maneuver it to Trincomalee, technical issues and engine failure have delayed the method.
• IRIS Lavan: A 3rd warship docked in Kochi, India, on Wednesday. Indian International Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said that the ship, which was carrying many younger cadets, was allowed to dock on “humane grounds” following engine points.

All three ships have been initially within the space to take part in a multi-national fleet overview hosted by India, which befell simply earlier than a struggle broke out within the Center East final week.