Iranian Tankers Stranded Off Sri Lanka Amid US Pressure on Oil Trade

At least 20 Iranian oil tankers are anchored off Sri Lanka's southwestern coast, according to The Wall Street Journal. These vessels, which had delivered sanctioned Iranian oil primarily to China, have reportedly run low on food, fuel, and fresh water.

The situation is a result of the Trump administration's pressure campaign targeting Iran's oil trade. US officials are said to have pressured Sri Lanka to prevent local ships from supplying the tankers and their crews, leaving some vessels facing shortages of basic provisions.

Sri Lankan authorities had previously stated that Iranian and other vessels operating near the country were being monitored but were outside its territorial waters. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said in September that 47 vessels had been identified in the vicinity, including some Iranian vessels, and that they were operating in international waters.