No pressure on Sri Lanka over Iranian warships – United States

2026-03-08 - 17:18

The United States will not seek to pressure Sri Lanka on how it should handle Iranian warships, a US State Department spokesperson said, according to Reuters. Reuters reported that the United States recognises Sri Lanka’s sovereignty in relation to the incident and respects that position. A spokesperson for the US State Department reportedly stated that Sri Lanka should ultimately decide on the Iranian sailors rescued from the Iranian vessels IRINS Bushehr and IRIS Dena, in accordance with its domestic laws and international obligations. Reuters also said that the United States is engaged in ongoing dialogue with Sri Lanka on the matter. However, Reuters previously reported that the United States had informed Sri Lankan authorities that the rescued individuals from the two Iranian vessels should not be handed back to Iran. The report further stated that Sri Lanka should ensure that Iran is not allowed to use the sailors to enhance its international image. Meanwhile, the US Indo-Pacific Command has rejected reports claiming that the Iranian vessel IRIS Dena, which was attacked by US forces in waters near Sri Lanka, was unarmed. It stated that the vessel was therefore a legitimate and specific military target under the law of armed conflict. The command also noted that the use of force to destroy the vessel was authorised, and confirmed that the ship had been destroyed. A statement issued by the command further said that Sri Lanka had provided life-saving assistance to those who survived, in accordance with the law of armed conflict. Meanwhile, 22 sailors from the IRIS Dena who had been hospitalised and received treatment have now been transferred to the Koggala Air Force Base. Earlier, 35 rescued sailors had been admitted to the Karapitiya Hospital in Galle for treatment. Accordingly, ten others are still receiving treatment in the hospital.