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Sri Lanka says it has no immediate plans to assist 19 Iranian oil tankers anchored near its coast, where crews are reportedly running low on food, drinking water and fuel.
Mariyam Adheela
Colombo: Sri Lanka has said it will not immediately provide assistance to 19 Iranian ships anchored in international waters near the island, as the government weighs its national interests and the risk of possible US sanctions.
The ships are located about 24 nautical miles from Sri Lanka’s coast and have reportedly been facing shortages of food, water and fuel, according to the Associated Press.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Thushara Rodrigo said the government would consider its national interests before deciding whether to help the vessels.
He said companies supplying the ships were aware of the possibility of secondary sanctions from the United States. However, Sri Lanka had not received any direct warning from Washington about possible consequences if it provided assistance.
The Iranian Embassy in Sri Lanka said it had no information about the situation.
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said the vessels were Iranian oil tankers that had remained near the country for several months after the United States resumed its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The blockade has left Iranian vessels facing difficulties returning home, according to reports.
International affairs analyst Dayan Jayatilleka said the ships were commercial cargo vessels that had transported oil from Iran to China, rather than warships. He also noted that Sri Lanka had a humanitarian responsibility to assist vessels in distress, while recognising the limits of what the country could do.
Sri Lanka faces a difficult decision
Sri Lanka maintains important trade and economic ties with both the United States and Iran. The United States also played a role in supporting Sri Lanka’s recovery from its recent economic crisis.
The government’s decision therefore involves balancing potential humanitarian needs with economic and diplomatic concerns.
The latest situation comes months after a US torpedo attack sank the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena, killing 87 sailors. Sri Lanka provided medical treatment to injured sailors following that incident and later returned them to Iran.
