The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Media Director General, Thushara Rodrigo, stated that the Government is monitoring the vessels reportedly anchored near Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

However, he emphasized that, since these vessels are stationed outside Sri Lanka’s sovereign territory, Sri Lanka bears no responsibility for them and is not providing them with any facilities.

According to the TankerTrackers website, nearly 20 Iranian oil tankers are currently anchored near Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone, unable to sail to their home ports. It is reported that a naval blockade imposed by the United States has prevented these vessels from reaching Iranian ports.

Accordingly, TankerTrackers reports that around 13 Iranian-flagged oil tankers and several sanction-evading vessels, commonly referred to as the “shadow fleet,” are currently anchored near Sri Lanka’s EEZ seeking safety. However, the website noted that these vessels are currently carrying no fuel.

The website also highlighted the risk of attacks on the vessels currently anchored near Sri Lanka, following an incident last March in which an American submarine reportedly struck and sank the vessel ‘IRIS Dena’ just 19 nautical miles off the coast of Sri Lanka.

Nevertheless, TankerTrackers noted that, under international law, the United States is not permitted to attack vessels situated within the territorial waters of a neutral country, which extend up to 12 nautical miles from its coastline.