US-Sanctioned Iranian Tankers Towed Off Sri Lanka's Coast

Sri Lanka's maritime authorities are monitoring 11 US-sanctioned Iranian oil tankers just off the island's southern coast. These vessels cannot return to Iran due to a United States blockade on ships using Iranian ports.

The tankers were spotted near Galle harbor, where an Iranian frigate was sunk by a US submarine in March, resulting in the loss of 104 sailors. Sri Lanka's navy rescued 32 Iranian sailors from that frigate.

Sri Lankan officials have deployed reconnaissance aircraft and patrol boats to monitor these vessels outside their territorial waters. The ships had not sought permission to enter Sri Lankan territory and are entitled to freedom of navigation in international waters.