2nd Iranian Warship Heads Toward Sri Lanka After Deadly US Submarine Strike

A second Iranian warship was heading towards Sri Lanka’s territorial waters on Thursday, a day after a US submarine destroyed an Iranian frigate, killing at least 87 sailors, authorities said.

Sri Lanka’s Media Minister, Nalinda Jayatissa, told parliament that the vessel was currently just outside the country’s waters but gave no further details.

Official sources said the warship was carrying more than 100 crew members, raising fears it could also be targeted following Wednesday’s attack.

The Iranian frigate was sunk by a US submarine just off Sri Lanka’s southern coast as the conflict triggered by a joint US–Israel strike on Iran continued to spread.

Authorities in the southern port city of Galle were preparing to hand over the remains of the 87 Iranian sailors killed in the torpedo attack claimed by the US military.

Officials at the main hospital in Galle said 32 rescued Iranian sailors were still receiving treatment under heavy security provided by police and elite commandos.

The hospital’s Emergency Treatment Unit was closed to visitors and other patients, with a separate ward created for the injured Iranians.

Medical staff said most of the survivors had minor injuries, although some suffered fractures and burns.

Sri Lanka’s navy said its vessels were continuing search operations for missing Iranian sailors following the attack.

Iran has yet to comment on the sinking, while Sri Lanka has maintained a neutral position and called for dialogue to resolve the growing Middle East conflict.