NIGERIA TV INFO — INTERNATIONAL / SECURITY

Sri Lanka Secures Iranian Naval Vessel After U.S. Submarine Sinks Sister Ship

Sri Lanka has taken control of an Iranian naval vessel, the IRINS Bushehr, after the ship requested permission to dock due to engine malfunction—just a day after the United States sank another Iranian warship in nearby waters, escalating tensions in the widening Middle East conflict.

The incident follows a dramatic naval confrontation on Wednesday when the Iranian vessel IRIS Dena was reportedly torpedoed by a U.S. submarine in the Bay of Bengal. The warship, which was carrying about 180 crew members during a multinational naval exercise, was struck roughly 44 nautical miles off Sri Lanka’s southern coast.

According to U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, the strike marked a historic moment for the U.S. Navy. He described the sinking as “the first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War Two.” The attack reportedly killed at least 87 crew members, making it one of the deadliest naval incidents linked to the ongoing regional conflict.

Iran strongly condemned the strike, calling it “an atrocity at sea.” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that the United States would “bitterly regret” the attack, further raising fears of retaliation and broader escalation.

A day after the sinking, the Iranian naval ship IRINS Bushehr contacted Sri Lankan authorities requesting emergency docking after reporting engine problems. Following hours of deliberation, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake authorized the vessel to dock at the Trincomalee Port in the country’s northeast rather than the busy commercial hub of Colombo, citing concerns about potential disruption to maritime trade.

Sri Lankan authorities subsequently secured the vessel and evacuated all 208 crew members. The group includes 53 officers, 84 cadet officers, 48 senior sailors, and 23 sailors, who are expected to be transported to Colombo for further assistance and processing.

Security analysts warn that the back-to-back naval incidents could deepen tensions between Iran and the United States, while also placing regional countries such as Sri Lanka in a delicate diplomatic position as the broader geopolitical crisis continues to unfold.