Hundreds of Iranian Sailors Return Home After US Torpedo Sinks Warship Near Sri Lanka
More than 200 Iranian sailors who were rescued by Sri Lankan forces from two sinking warships at the onset of a broader conflict have now been repatriated to Iran, according to a senior official. This development follows a deadly incident in early March, when a US submarine torpedoed the Iranian frigate Iris Dena, resulting in significant casualties and regional condemnation.
Rescue and Repatriation Efforts
Sri Lankan forces conducted rescue operations for the crews of two Iranian naval vessels. On 4 March, they saved 32 crew members from the warship Iris Dena after it was struck by a torpedo fired by a US submarine. The attack occurred as the ship was returning from a naval exercise organised by India. The following day, on 5 March, another 208 sailors were rescued from the Iris Booshehr, which had requested assistance from Colombo due to engine trouble.
Aruna Jayasekera, Sri Lanka's deputy defence minister, confirmed that the crews of both ships were flown out on a special flight late Tuesday night. The sailors had been granted 30-day entry visas by Sri Lanka and were housed in navy and air force camps while arrangements were made for their return. Additionally, a chartered plane arranged by Iran transported back the bodies of 84 crew members from the Dena who were killed in the US attack.
Details of the Attack and Aftermath
The Iris Dena, one of Iran's newest warships, was a Moudge-class frigate designed for deep-water patrols. It sank following the US attack, which killed at least 104 sailors. The ship was struck in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka, an action that drew fanfare from US officials but widespread condemnation internationally.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the Iris Dena as a "prize ship" and remarked that it "died a quiet death." In contrast, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi labelled the attack as "an atrocity at sea" and emphasised that the vessel had been "a guest of India's Navy."
Broader Context of the Conflict
This attack is part of the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, which began on 28 February. Officials from Tehran and Washington attempted, but failed, to reach a permanent resolution during peace talks held in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday. Negotiations are continuing amid heightened tensions.
The Iris Dena had participated in naval exercises hosted by India before heading into international waters on its return journey. According to India's Defense Ministry, at least 74 countries joined these events, including the US Navy, which conducted reconnaissance aircraft and maritime patrol drills.
After its crew was offloaded in Colombo on 5 March, the Iris Booshehr was towed to waters off Sri Lanka's eastern coast of Trincomalee. The incident underscores the volatile nature of maritime security in the region and the complex geopolitical dynamics at play.
