Iranian Vessels Spotted Near Sri Lanka Amid US Sanctions

Iranian vessels have been spotted near Sri Lanka's waters, but the government has no plans to provide them with supplies or facilities. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these vessels are approximately 25 nautical miles offshore and therefore outside Sri Lanka's territorial sea.

The US Embassy in Colombo had previously communicated with the Foreign Ministry regarding the presence of Iranian vessels near Sri Lanka, but there were no formal discussions about denying supplies or facilities. The US has imposed sanctions on Iran and entities dealing with sanctioned parties, warning of possible secondary sanctions risks for parties continuing certain business with Tehran.

The Wall Street Journal reported that around 20 Iranian oil tankers had been stranded near Sri Lanka and Malaysia, running low on essential supplies including food, fuel, and fresh water. The US Department of the Treasury launched Operation Economic Outcast to expand sanctions risks for parties dealing with Iran, targeting the country's maritime and sanctions-evasion networks.