US Blockade Leaves Sanctioned Iranian Tankers Stranded Off Sri Lanka

The United States has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian shipping, and as a result, eleven Iranian oil tankers under US sanctions have gathered in international waters off Sri Lanka's southern coast. According to Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, none of the tankers have entered the country's territorial waters.

The vessels are unable to return to their home ports due to the blockade and are being monitored by Sri Lanka's military using reconnaissance aircraft and patrol boats.

A Sri Lankan military official stated that there are no signs of ship-to-ship oil transfers or illegal discharges of pollutants, giving authorities no grounds to take action against them.