19 Iranian ships stranded off Sri Lanka’s coast:Shortage of food, water and fuel; govt fears US sanctions for providing assistance

Nineteen Iranian ships are stranded in international waters off Sri Lanka’s coast and are running short of food, drinking water and fuel. However, the Sri Lankan government has so far refrained from providing assistance, fearing that helping the vessels could expose the country to US sanctions. Sri Lanka says it will consider its national interests before making a decision. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Thushara Rodrigo said the ships were anchored about 24 nautical miles off the country’s coast. He added that Colombo had not received any official warning from the US about possible action for assisting the Iranian vessels. Iranian Ships stranded after US blockade in Strait of Hormuz Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told the Sunday Times that the stranded vessels were Iranian oil tankers. He said dozens of Iranian ships had been unable to return to their country since the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz resumed. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea beyond. It is one of the world’s most important energy transit routes, carrying a significant share of global oil supplies. Any escalation in the region could disrupt energy supplies and international trade. Sri Lanka faces dilemma over ties with US and Iran The situation presents a diplomatic challenge for Sri Lanka, which maintains economic ties with both the US and Iran. The island nation is still recovering from its economic crisis. The US played an important role in supporting Sri Lanka’s efforts to secure an International Monetary Fund (IMF) relief package during the crisis. American assistance also supported efforts to revive the agricultural sector amid a food shortage. Sri Lankan officials say companies that supply goods to ships and provide related services are concerned about the possibility of facing US sanctions. The government must therefore weigh humanitarian considerations against the potential economic and diplomatic consequences of assisting the Iranian vessels. Sri Lanka previously rescued Iranian sailors after naval incident Sri Lanka has previously provided assistance to Iranian sailors. Around seven months ago, the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena sank after a US torpedo attack, killing 87 Iranian sailors. The vessel was returning to Iran after participating in a naval exercise hosted by India. Subsequently, another Iranian ship was brought to a Sri Lankan port after developing a technical fault. Injured sailors received treatment at Sri Lankan hospitals, and those rescued from the vessel, along with the injured crew members, were later sent safely to Iran. Expert says Sri Lanka has a moral responsibility to help International affairs expert Dayan Jayatilleka said Sri Lanka was in a difficult position and faced practical limitations in providing assistance. He argued that the international community should recognise that Sri Lanka was not deliberately refusing to help but was weighing its options cautiously. Jayatilleka said the vessels were cargo ships carrying oil from Iran to China, rather than warships. He added that if the vessels came under attack and entered Sri Lankan waters seeking assistance, the country would have a moral responsibility to provide immediate help.