Sri Lanka Facilitates Repatriation of Iranian Sailors After US Naval Incident

Wed Apr 15 2026 20:44:46 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Sri Lanka has successfully repatriated 238 Iranian sailors who were stranded following a US torpedo attack on their warship, the Iris Dena. The sailors were housed in military facilities during their stay and were airlifted back home after a month-long ordeal.

The Sri Lankan government has confirmed the repatriation of 238 Iranian sailors stranded in the country following a US submarine attack that sank their warship, the Iris Dena, on March 4. Many sailors were rescued from two vessels and successfully flown home after receiving temporary visas and living in navy and air force camps. This incident has heightened tensions in the region amid ongoing conflicts involving the US and Iran.

More than 200 Iranian sailors left stranded in Sri Lanka after a US torpedo attack are returning home after being stuck in the country for more than a month.

On Wednesday, Sri Lanka's Deputy Defence Minister, Aruna Jayasekara, confirmed 32 sailors rescued from the Iris Dena and 206 from the Irins Bushehr had departed the country.

The Iranian warship, Iris Dena, sank on March 4 approximately 40 km (25 miles) from Sri Lanka's southern coastline after it was struck by a torpedo from a US submarine, which resulted in the deaths of 104 sailors.

On March 5, Sri Lanka took control of the Iranian naval vessel, Irins Bushehr, after it requested to dock at one of the country's ports due to a malfunction.

Speaking to Reuters, Jayasekara confirmed that the crew of both ships was flown out on Tuesday night.

The stranded sailors had been granted 30-day entry visas by the Sri Lankan government and were housed in military camps.

The Iris Dena had been returning from a military exercise hosted by India when it was attacked.

Video released by the US Department of Defense showed the moment the ship was struck, causing an explosion.

The bodies of 84 Iranian sailors killed in the incident were subsequently repatriated via a chartered plane arranged by Iran.

The sinking occurred just days into the current US-Israeli conflict with Iran, marking a significant expansion of hostilities.

In retaliation, Iran has launched strikes across the Middle East, targeting Gulf nations allied with the US.

Approximately 15 Iranian sailors will remain in Sri Lanka to operate the Irins Bushehr, which is currently anchored off Trincomalee in the northeastern region of the island.

Sri Lanka, maintaining its long-standing policy of neutrality since independence in 1948, has strong diplomatic and economic ties with both Iran and the United States. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that Sri Lanka will always protect humanity while intervening to control the situation, emphasizing its commitment to international conventions.

}