Sri Lanka Deals with Iranian Sailors Who Survived American Attack According to International Law

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena confirmed that his country is dealing with the Iranian sailors who survived an American attack on the Iranian frigate "IRIS Dena" according to international laws and treaties, including the Hague Convention which obligates neutral states to protect combatants until military operations cease.

Gunawardena explained that Sri Lanka provided care for 32 sailors from the frigate, and also offered safe harbor for a second Iranian ship, "IRIS Bushehr," and its crew of 219 individuals one day after the attack in which an American submarine sank the frigate off the southern coast of the country, while 84 bodies were recovered.

At the same time, India allowed the third Iranian ship, "IRIS Lavan," to dock at Kochi port for humanitarian reasons after it experienced operational failures, according to Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who confirmed that the decision was based on humanitarian principles, noting that the ship included young military students who disembarked at a nearby facility after docking.

A senior American official clarified that international humanitarian law applies to the survivors, indicating that the injured can be returned to Iran if they wish. Iranian diplomats in Colombo also confirmed that they requested the return of the remains of 84 sailors killed in the attack.

These developments come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with international efforts to ensure that neutral states adhere to international humanitarian laws and protect civilians and survivors in maritime conflicts.