US affirms respect for Sri Lanka s sovereignty in handling Iranian ship and crew

The spokesperson for the U.S. State Department has affirmed that the United States respects Sri Lanka's authority in managing the situation with the Iranian warship 'IRIS Bushehr' and its crew. The spokesperson emphasized that Sri Lanka has the sole responsibility to decide what happens to the ship, its crew, and the Iranian sailors who were rescued, following the country's laws and international commitments. This remark follows comments from Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, who stated at a conference in New Delhi that Sri Lanka is providing care for 32 sailors from the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, in line with its international treaty obligations. The IRIS Dena was sunk by a U.S. submarine on Wednesday near Sri Lanka’s southern coast. The Sri Lankan navy conducted rescue operations, recovering 84 bodies. When asked if Sri Lanka faced pressure from the U.S. regarding the repatriation of the Iranian sailors, Herath did not respond directly, but mentioned, "We have taken all the steps according to international laws." Additionally, Sri Lanka offered refuge to another Iranian warship, the IRIS Bushehr, and evacuated its 219 crew members a day after the Dena was attacked. The IRIS Bushehr was brought to Trincomalee on Sri Lanka’s northeast coast due to engine trouble. On Friday, Reuters reported that Washington was urging Sri Lanka not to send the Iranian sailors back, based on an internal cable from the State Department.