Second Iranian Vessel Near Sri Lanka Seeks Emergency Port Entry After US Sinks IRIS Dena

A second Iranian naval vessel operating near Sri Lanka has sought emergency permission to dock at a Sri Lankan port, Sri Lankan MP Namal Rajapaksa disclosed on Thursday (5 March).

The development comes just a day after a US submarine sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean.

"It has been brought to our notice that another Iranian vessel is in Sri Lanka's Exclusive Economic Zone, just outside our territorial waters and has sought the government's permission to make an urgent port call. However it is yet awaiting the government's clearance," Rajapaksa wrote on X.

Sri Lanka's Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa separately confirmed the presence of a second Iranian warship just outside the country's territorial waters, though he provided no additional details.

The incident follows the sinking of IRIS Dena on Wednesday (4 March) when a US submarine torpedoed the Iranian frigate while it was in Sri Lankan waters in the Indian Ocean.

The warship had been returning from a military exercise held at Visakhapatnam in India.

The strike took place approximately 2,000 nautical miles from Iranian shores and claimed around 87 lives.

Sri Lankan authorities said 32 sailors were rescued during search operations, while several others remain unaccounted for and are presumed dead.

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth confirmed the attack and described the outcome as a significant victory for Washington.

"America is winning decisively, devastatingly and without mercy. Under the direct command of President Trump, the War Department unleashed this operation early Saturday morning," Hegseth said, adding that the US would ensure success in the joint operation with Israel.

Sri Lanka has not yet issued clearance for the second Iranian vessel's port call request, and the situation remains under watch.

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