A day after an Iranian naval frigate was destroyed near Sri Lankan waters, another Iranian warship has requested urgent entry into a Sri Lankan port. The development comes amid rising tensions in the wider West Asia conflict, which has now reached the Indian Ocean region.
On Thursday, Sri Lankan MP Namal Rajapaksa said on social media that an Iranian warship is currently inside Sri Lanka's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The vessel has requested permission to make an emergency port call at a Sri Lankan harbour. However, the Sri Lankan government has not yet granted approval.
Earlier, Sri Lanka's Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa also confirmed that a second Iranian warship had been seen just outside the country's territorial waters. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as the regional conflict continues to expand.
Iranian frigate sunk near Sri Lanka
The request for port access came just one day after a major naval incident near Sri Lanka. On Wednesday, an Iranian naval frigate, IRIS Dena, was sunk in international waters south of Sri Lanka after being hit by torpedoes from an American submarine.
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According to reports, at least 87 Iranian naval personnel were killed in the attack. The warship had been returning to Iran after participating in the Milan 2026 naval exercise held in Visakhapatnam, India.
The ship reportedly sank about 2,000 nautical miles away from Iranian territory. Sri Lankan authorities assisted in rescue efforts after the incident. Officials said 32 Iranian naval personnel were rescued and brought to safety. However, several sailors are still feared missing or dead.
Sri Lanka has expressed humanitarian support in the aftermath of the sinking while continuing to monitor military activity around its waters.
US calls attack a 'big victory'
The United States has defended the strike on the Iranian warship. US War Secretary Pete Hegseth described the operation as a major success for Washington.
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He said the attack was carried out under the direct orders of US President Donald Trump. According to him, the United States is conducting the ongoing conflict with Iran in an extremely "destructive and ruthless manner".
Hegseth also said Washington remains confident of success in its joint military operations with Israel.
The latest developments indicate that the conflict, which began in West Asia, is now affecting maritime security across a much wider region, including the Indian Ocean and waters close to South Asia.
