More than 200 Iranian sailors left stranded in Sri Lanka after a US torpedo attack are now returning home after being stuck for over a month. Sri Lanka's Deputy Defence Minister, Aruna Jayasekara, confirmed that 32 sailors from the Iris Dena and 206 from the Irins Bushehr have left the country on repatriation flights earlier this week.
The Iranian warship Iris Dena sank on March 4, following a torpedo strike from a US submarine approximately 40 kilometers from Sri Lanka's southern coast, resulting in the deaths of 104 sailors. Shortly after this incident, Sri Lanka intervened by taking control of the Irins Bushehr, which had requested assistance due to engine troubles.
The crew from both vessels had been granted 30-day entry visas while they were housed in Sri Lankan military camps. Video evidence released by the US Department of Defense depicted the moment the Iris Dena was hit, causing it to rise and then explode.
Following the attack, Italy and other Gulf allies faced retaliatory responses from Iran, exacerbating already heightened tensions in the region. Notably, about 15 Iranian sailors will remain in Sri Lanka to operate the Irins Bushehr.
Sri Lanka's long-standing non-alignment policy has allowed it to maintain diplomatic relations with both Iran and the US, underscoring its commitment to humanitarian principles while navigating the complex international landscape.
The Iranian warship Iris Dena sank on March 4, following a torpedo strike from a US submarine approximately 40 kilometers from Sri Lanka's southern coast, resulting in the deaths of 104 sailors. Shortly after this incident, Sri Lanka intervened by taking control of the Irins Bushehr, which had requested assistance due to engine troubles.
The crew from both vessels had been granted 30-day entry visas while they were housed in Sri Lankan military camps. Video evidence released by the US Department of Defense depicted the moment the Iris Dena was hit, causing it to rise and then explode.
Following the attack, Italy and other Gulf allies faced retaliatory responses from Iran, exacerbating already heightened tensions in the region. Notably, about 15 Iranian sailors will remain in Sri Lanka to operate the Irins Bushehr.
Sri Lanka's long-standing non-alignment policy has allowed it to maintain diplomatic relations with both Iran and the US, underscoring its commitment to humanitarian principles while navigating the complex international landscape.
