Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry said on Sunday it rescued 40 Iranian seafarers from merchant vessels in offshore international waters after medical emergencies. The operation was conducted at the Iranian embassy’s request via diplomatic channels; crew from 19 ships were brought ashore at Galle, treated and returned to Iran on Sunday morning. Local media identified the vessels as U.S.-sanctioned oil tankers.

2026-10-26

Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry said on Sunday it rescued 40 Iranian seafarers from merchant vessels in offshore international waters after medical emergencies. The operation was conducted at the Iranian embassy’s request via diplomatic channels; crew from 19 ships were brought ashore at Galle, treated and returned to Iran on Sunday morning. Local media identified the vessels as U.S.-sanctioned oil tankers.