Tension in Indian Ocean: Another Iranian ship heads towards Sri Lanka after US destroys warship

Colombo: Tensions in the Indian Ocean region have escalated after reports emerged that another Iranian vessel is approaching Sri Lanka, just a day after a United States submarine destroyed an Iranian warship near the island nation’s waters. Sri Lankan authorities confirmed that the new vessel is currently located a short distance away from the country’s maritime boundary.

Sri Lankan Minister Nalinda Jayatissa stated on Thursday that the ship, believed to be carrying more than 100 people, is awaiting permission from the Sri Lankan government to enter safer waters. The development comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions following the destruction of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena by a US submarine on Wednesday.

According to reports, the US strike killed 87 crew members aboard the Iranian vessel. The attack reportedly took place in waters south of Sri Lanka, raising serious concerns about regional security and the safety of maritime routes in the Indian Ocean.

Officials said the approaching vessel has sent out a distress signal seeking assistance. Sri Lanka has assured that it will take all necessary measures to protect lives at sea. “We will ensure that humanitarian considerations are addressed and necessary steps are taken to safeguard lives,” Minister Jayatissa said.

Meanwhile, opposition MP Namal Rajapaksa urged the government to immediately disclose complete information about the vessel and the situation unfolding near Sri Lanka’s waters. He stressed that transparency was crucial, given the seriousness of the geopolitical developments.

Sri Lankan naval authorities are currently engaged in efforts to recover and hand over the bodies of the 87 sailors killed in the earlier strike. At the same time, search operations are continuing for nearly 60 sailors who are still missing after the destruction of the Iranian ship.

Reports also indicate that 32 Iranian nationals rescued from the earlier incident are currently undergoing treatment under heavy security at a major hospital in Galle.

The incident has significantly heightened tensions in the Indian Ocean region. Though the US-Iran-Israel conflict is largely centered in the Middle East, the latest developments suggest the confrontation may be spreading far beyond the Gulf region.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reportedly held discussions with senior officials to assess the situation and decide on further steps regarding the approaching vessel’s request to enter safe waters.

Iran has strongly condemned the US strike, calling it an act of aggression in international waters. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi accused the US of destroying the frigate without warning in waters nearly 2,000 miles from Iran’s coast, escalating the diplomatic and military tensions further.