Sri Lanka Takes Control of Iranian Vessels Amidst Rising Regional Tensions

Colombo, Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka has taken custody of the Iranian vessel IRIS Bushehr and evacuated its 208 crew members, following a day after a U.S. Submarine sank another Iranian warship, IRIS Dena, off Sri Lanka’s southern coast. The escalating situation underscores growing regional instability and Sri Lanka’s delicate position as it attempts to maintain neutrality.

U.S. Submarine Sinks Iranian Warship

On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, a U.S. Submarine torpedoed the IRIS Dena approximately 40 nautical miles off Sri Lanka’s southern coast . U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the sinking was the “first sinking of an enemy ship” by a torpedo since World War II . At least 84 sailors were killed, and dozens remain missing. The IRIS Dena had recently participated in the ‘International Fleet Review 2026’ held in Visakhapatnam, India .

Sri Lanka’s Response and Neutrality

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced the government’s decision to take charge of the IRIS Bushehr and its crew on Thursday, March 5, 2026 . The 208 crew members were safely evacuated and transported to the Colombo Port, while the vessel itself will be moved to the northeastern port of Trincomalee . President Dissanayake emphasized that Sri Lanka’s response was driven by humanitarian concerns and a commitment to saving lives .

“We have to understand that this is not an ordinary situation,” President Dissanayake stated . He reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to maintaining a neutral foreign policy, stating the country is “hoping for the best and preparing for the worst” amid concerns about the wider impact of the conflict in West Asia on the global economy .

Regional Reactions and Diplomatic Efforts

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the sinking of the IRIS Dena as an “atrocity at sea” and warned that the U.S. Would “bitterly regret” the attack .

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath arrived in New Delhi on Thursday, March 5, 2026, to attend the ‘Raisina Dialogue,’ a global forum on international affairs. He spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi regarding the escalating situation in the Middle East, expressing Sri Lanka’s “grave concern” and reaffirming the importance of diplomatic dialogue .

Parliamentary Concerns and EEZ Status

The situation drew attention during a parliamentary debate in Sri Lanka, with Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa raising concerns about regional security and the proximity of the IRIS Bushehr to the Colombo Port. Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa clarified that the vessel was within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) but not within its territorial waters .

The 32 sailors rescued from the IRIS Dena are currently receiving treatment at a public hospital in the Galle district .