Iranian warship IRIS Booshehr still in SL waters despite crew repatriation

Colombo, April 24 (Daily Mirror) - Despite more than 200 Iranian crew members rescued by Sri Lanka from two warships being repatriated, the Iranian Navy vessel IRIS Booshehr remains in Trincomalee waters after being detained in March 2026 following engine failure near Colombo in the aftermath of the sinking of IRIS Dena, the Daily Mirror learns.

Sri Lanka rescued 32 Iranian crew members from the warship IRIS Dena on March 4 after it was struck by a torpedo from a ​U.S. submarine. A further 208 crew members were rescued on March 5 from a second vessel IRIS Booshehr, which had also requested assistance after encountering engine trouble.

Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekera told the Daily Mirror that diplomatic discussions between Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry and Iranian authorities regarding IRIS Booshehr are still ongoing.

Sri Lanka took control of the IRIS Booshehr citing international maritime law after the vessel reported engine failure near Colombo. It was decided to escort the vessel to Trincomalee Harbour to avoid disruption to commercial activity at the Colombo Port. After its crew was offloaded in Colombo, the vessel was towed to waters off Sri Lanka’s eastern coast.

On April 15, over 200 Iranian crew members from two warships who were rescued by Sri Lanka were sent back to Iran.

Navy Media Spokesperson Commander Buddhika Sampath said a small number of Iranian crew members remain aboard IRIS Booshehr along with Sri Lanka Navy personnel until a final decision is made regarding the vessel’s return.