Crew Evacuated as Ship Heads to Sri Lankan Port
An Iranian naval vessel transferred more than 200 crew members to Sri Lanka after suffering engine trouble in the Indian Ocean. The incident happened only days after a U.S. submarine sank another Iranian warship during a military operation near the region.
The ship, known as IRIS Bushehr, requested assistance and was allowed to approach Sri Lanka for safety reasons. According to Sri Lankan naval officials, the vessel will first be guided to the port city of Colombo.
After arrival, the crew members were taken off the ship and transported to a naval base in Welisara. Authorities carried out medical checks and immigration procedures before relocating them.
Sri Lanka Explains Decision to Assist Vessel
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the government handled the situation carefully because of the sensitive regional tensions.
He explained that the request involved a foreign naval vessel asking to enter a Sri Lankan port. Because of this, officials had to follow international maritime rules and diplomatic protocols before granting access.
Officials later confirmed that one of the ship’s engines had failed while it was at sea. After discussions with Iranian authorities and the vessel’s captain, Sri Lanka agreed to help manage the situation.
Some crew members stayed on the ship to assist Sri Lankan naval teams. Together they plan to move the vessel to Trincomalee on the island’s northeast coast. The port lies about 165 miles from Colombo.
U.S. Torpedo Attack Sank Iranian Warship
The emergency unfolded shortly after a major naval confrontation in the region. A U.S. submarine sank the Iranian warship IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka’s waters earlier in the week.
According to U.S. defense officials, the submarine launched a single Mark 48 torpedo. The attack quickly disabled the vessel and sent it to the ocean floor.
Pete Hegseth described the strike as a historic moment. He said it marked the first time since World War II that an enemy ship had been sunk by a torpedo in combat.
Military leaders said the strike was part of ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran.
Rescue Efforts After the Sinking
Following the attack, India launched a search and rescue effort after receiving a distress call from the ship. The Indian Navy deployed aircraft and a training vessel to the area.
However, the Sri Lanka Navy had already begun rescue operations by the time the Indian response reached the scene.
Sri Lankan forces managed to save 32 sailors from the water. They also recovered 87 bodies after the warship sank.
Iran Condemns U.S. Strike
Iran reacted sharply to the attack. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi accused the United States of committing a serious act at sea.
He claimed the Iranian ship was operating in international waters and said the strike occurred far from Iran’s coastline. Araqchi warned that the United States would eventually regret the move.
Meanwhile, U.S. military leaders defended the operation. Dan Caine said the torpedo strike neutralized the vessel quickly and achieved its objective immediately.
The confrontation highlights rising tensions in the region as naval forces from multiple countries operate in the busy waters of the Indian Ocean.
