Sri Lanka Rescues Crew of Second Iranian Ship as Regional Conflict Expands
GALLE, Sri Lanka — Sri Lankan authorities are conducting a rescue operation for a second Iranian vessel that requested emergency assistance near the country’s southern coast, a day after a US submarine sank an Iranian frigate in the same waters, according to government officials .
Government spokesman and minister Nalinda Jayathissa told parliament on March 5 that authorities are aware of the second Iranian ship positioned in Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone outside its territorial waters and are taking steps to address the situation .
“We are aware of it and are contemplating action to safeguard all lives on board,” Jayathissa said in response to a query from opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. “We are intervening to resolve this issue to safeguard regional peace” .
Official sources said the vessel is carrying more than 100 crew members and had requested emergency assistance, though Sri Lankan naval officials did not specify the nature of the distress or whether the ship is a military vessel .
Ongoing Rescue and Recovery Operations
The development comes as Sri Lankan authorities continue search operations for missing Iranian sailors from the IRIS Dena, a Moudge-class frigate that was struck by a US submarine torpedo on March 4 approximately 19 nautical miles off the southern port city of Galle .
Sri Lankan military rescuers responded to an early-morning distress call from the IRIS Dena on March 4 and recovered 32 survivors who were transported to Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle for treatment . At least 87 bodies of Iranian sailors have been recovered, according to hospital officials, with search operations continuing for an estimated 10 personnel who remain unaccounted for .
Two freezers were dispatched from Colombo to store the bodies at the Karapitiya hospital, where inquests were scheduled to be conducted on March 5 . Hospital sources said the rescued sailors sustained minor injuries including fractures and burns, with one remaining in intensive care while others were expected to be discharged .
A source at the hospital who requested anonymity told Arab News that the sailors “were sleeping at the time of the blast” and that communication has been challenging due to language barriers . “We find it difficult to communicate with the patients properly and have sought assistance from the Iranian Embassy in Colombo,” the source said .
Navy spokesman Commander Buddhika Sampath said Sri Lankan vessels are continuing search operations for missing sailors. “We are only concerned about our obligation to rescue them as first responders under international maritime obligations,” Sampath said .
US Confirms Submarine Attack
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed at a Pentagon briefing on March 4 that an American submarine carried out the strike on the Iranian vessel .
“An American submarine sank an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters,” Hegseth told reporters. “Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo. Quiet death” .
A Pentagon video purporting to show the attack depicted a warship being hit by an explosion that blew apart the rear of the vessel, lifting it from the water and causing it to begin sinking from the stern .
Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads US Central Command, said American forces have struck or sunk 17 Iranian naval vessels since military operations against Iran began on March 1 .
Iranian Government Response
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a statement on social media platform X on March 4 condemning the attack .
“The US has perpetrated an atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran’s shores,” Araghchi wrote. “Frigate Dena, a guest of India’s Navy carrying almost 130 sailors, was struck in international waters without warning” .
Araghchi said the United States “will bitterly regret the precedent it has set” .
Vessel’s Recent Participation in Indian Naval Exercises
The IRIS Dena had participated in the Milan 2026 multinational naval exercise and International Fleet Review hosted by the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam from February 18 to 25, according to drill organizers and Sri Lankan officials . The ship was returning to Iran following the exercises when it was struck .
The biennial multilateral exercise saw participation from approximately 74 countries. An Indian Navy spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment following the sinking .
Broader Conflict Context
The sinking of the IRIS Dena occurred amid a wider US-Israeli military campaign against Iran that began on March 1 following the killing of senior Iranian officials including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei . US officials said the operation has targeted Iran’s missile arsenal and naval capabilities, with President Donald Trump stating that one of the objectives is to eliminate Iran’s navy .
According to US Central Command, American forces have struck nearly 2,000 Iranian targets in the first days of the operation. The command said the Iranian side has launched over 500 ballistic missiles and over 2,000 drones in retaliation .
Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks targeting US-linked sites in Gulf countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia . The Pentagon has announced the deaths of six US service members since the conflict began .
The conflict has severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claiming “complete control” of the critical waterway and oil tanker transits plunging by 90 percent, according to energy market intelligence firm Kpler .
Sri Lankan Position
Sri Lanka has maintained a neutral stance and has repeatedly urged dialogue to resolve the conflict in the Middle East . Jayathissa emphasized that the government is acting according to international law and on humanitarian grounds .
Deputy Health Minister Hansaka Wijemuni said Iran has requested the repatriation of the deceased Iranian sailors and authorities are making preparations to do so .
The second Iranian vessel’s request for emergency assistance extends the geographical scope of the conflict further into the Indian Ocean, with Sri Lankan authorities now engaged in a second rescue operation in as many days .
With inputs from:
ETV Bharat: 2nd Iranian ship EEZ entry
Straits Times: Jayathissa safeguard lives
Arab News: Dena rescuers hospital
Deccan Herald: 2nd vessel awaits entry
BERNAMA: SL rescue operation
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