Iranian naval vessel sinks off Sri Lanka; 30 sailors rescued

An Iranian naval vessel has sunk near the southern coast of Sri Lanka, prompting a large-scale rescue operation by local authorities, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The ship, identified as the IRIS Dena, went down in waters off Sri Lanka after Sri Lankan authorities received distress information. The Sri Lankan government said the Sri Lanka Navy was immediately dispatched to the area to assist with rescue efforts.

Speaking to foreign media, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister said that naval teams reached the vessel shortly after the alert was issued. So far, 30 injured sailors have been evacuated and transferred to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. Emergency response teams are continuing search and rescue operations in the area.

According to officials, approximately 180 personnel were on board the Iranian ship at the time of the incident. Authorities have not yet released details about the cause of the sinking, and investigations are expected to begin once rescue operations are completed.

The incident has also drawn political attention within Sri Lanka. An opposition leader publicly questioned whether the vessel may have been targeted by the United States or Israel, suggesting the possibility of external involvement. However, the Sri Lankan government has declined to comment on those claims, stating that no evidence has been presented to support such allegations.

Iranian authorities have not yet issued a detailed statement regarding the incident or the condition of the remaining crew members.

Maritime officials say the situation remains fluid, with rescue teams continuing their efforts amid challenging sea conditions. Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.