Sri Lankan Government plans no assistance for 19 Iranian oil tankers

Vijitha Herath: Vijitha Herath is the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka. He identified the anchored vessels as Iranian oil tankers and linked their situation directly to the resumed US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Thushara Rodrigo: Thushara Rodrigo serves as the Foreign Ministry spokesperson for Sri Lanka. He stated that the vessels are approximately 24 nautical miles from the coast and that Washington has not contacted Colombo regarding potential repercussions for providing assistance. Iranian Oil Tankers: Iranian Oil Tankers are vessels transporting Iranian oil subject to international restrictions and blockades. In this case, 19 such tankers have been stranded for several months near Sri Lanka after the US resumed its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, preventing their return home. Sri Lankan Government: The Sri Lankan Government manages the country's foreign policy, maritime affairs, and responses to international sanctions risks. In this development, it has stated there are no immediate plans to assist the 19 stranded vessels to avoid potential US secondary sanctions. Officials have confirmed the ships are in international waters and that companies are aware of the associated risks. `json { "Sanctions Awareness": "Companies supplying ships near Sri Lanka are aware of the risk of US secondary sanctions related to Iranian vessels.", "Diplomatic Communications": "Washington had not contacted Sri Lanka to warn of repercussions if it provided assistance to the stranded ships." } `