Iranian envoy says Sri Lanka invited three Iranian vessels

25-Mar-2026

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Iranian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alireza Delkhosh stated that the Iranian vessels IRIS Dena, IRIS Bushehr and IRIS Lavan were en route to Sri Lanka following an invitation extended by the Sri Lanka Navy Commander during the ‘Milan 2026’ naval exercise, adding that IRIS Dena came under attack by the United States during this period.

The remarks were made at a special media briefing held on March 23 in Colombo amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following a joint US-Israel strike on Iran in late February.

Responding to media queries, the Ambassador stated that IRIS Dena was sunk approximately 40–44 nautical miles south of Galle in an attack allegedly carried out by a US submarine on the early morning of the 4th, after the vessel departed Indian waters following participation in Milan 2026 in Visakhapatnam.

He further noted:

Around 104 personnel on board were killed in the attack. 

The vessel was not in combat readiness, nor equipped for offensive action. 

The attack occurred far from an active conflict zone. 

Many of those killed were not military personnel, but included musicians. 

He added that there is no confirmed information regarding claims that the vessel waited 11 hours for permission to dock in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, the IRIS Bushehr, which was granted permission to anchor at Trincomalee following the attack, has yet to be moved there as planned. Iranian nationals disembarked in Colombo are currently housed at the Welisara Navy camp.