New Delhi | Amid rising tensions in the Indian Ocean, a second Iranian vessel has been spotted near Sri Lanka and has requested emergency permission to dock at Colombo Port. The development comes a day after a reported US naval strike sank the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean.
According to the government of Sri Lanka, the vessel was detected near the island nation on Thursday. Cabinet spokesperson and minister Nalinda Jayatissa informed Parliament that another Iranian ship was currently present close to Sri Lankan maritime territory. He said authorities were closely monitoring the situation while prioritizing public safety and regional stability.
Officials have not disclosed detailed information about the ship or the number of people onboard. However, preliminary reports suggest it may not be a warship but a logistics or pipe-laying vessel typically used for technical offshore operations such as laying underwater pipelines.
Sources indicate the vessel is operating near Sri Lanka’s western coast and could have more than 100 crew members onboard. It has reportedly sought emergency docking permission at Port of Colombo, citing a technical problem with its engine.
Opposition MP Namal Rajapaksa confirmed that the ship formally requested permission to enter Colombo port. The Sri Lankan government has yet to take a final decision on the request. Meanwhile, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has held meetings with senior ministers and defense officials to assess the situation.
The development follows reports that the Iranian naval warship IRIS Dena was sunk in the Indian Ocean after being targeted by a US nuclear-powered attack submarine. Around 100 sailors were feared dead in the incident. The strike was later confirmed by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a press briefing.
The warship had recently participated in an international naval event hosted by the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam, where several countries took part in the International Fleet Review and the multinational naval exercise Exercise Milan, held from February 16 to 25.
Iran has strongly condemned the US action, claiming the vessel was attacked without warning while returning from the international naval event.
Following the sinking of the Iranian warship and the appearance of another Iranian vessel near Sri Lanka, security agencies across the Indian Ocean region have heightened surveillance as multiple naval forces monitor maritime movements closely.
