Sri Lanka Takes Charge of Iranian Naval Auxiliary Ship IRINS Bushehr
6th March 2026
At a media briefing, information on the situation was provided by the President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He stated that Sri Lanka intends to safeguard its neutrality while demonstrating humanitarian values.
On February 26 the replenishment vessel IRINS Bushehr, along with the frigate IRIS Dena and another Iranian vessel, had requested permission to enter port from March 9 to 13. Dena was sunk off the coast of Galle, by a U.S. Navy SSN using a Mark 48 torpedo, in the early hours of March 4. Bushehr then requested permission on March 4 to enter the port of Colombo on March 4 and 5, following which the Sri Lankan foreign ministry negotiated with its Iranian counterpart. One of Bushehr’s engines was reported to be damaged. After further negotiations with Iran it was decided to relocate the vessel.