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Iran Negotiates Return of 251 Sailors After Frigate Sinking

3/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Iran is negotiating the return of 251 sailors from Sri Lanka following the sinking of the frigate IRIS Dena by a U.S. submarine earlier this month.
Tehran’s ambassador Alireza Delkhosh said that 32 sailors from IRIS Dena and 219 from IRIS Bushehr seek to return home.
The Sri Lankan government has not yet responded to Iran's request.
The attack on IRIS Dena resulted in 104 deaths.
Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized neutrality and denied U.S. warplanes access to its facilities.

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Story summary

Iran is negotiating the return of 251 sailors from Sri Lanka following the sinking of the frigate IRIS Dena by a U.S. submarine earlier this month.
Tehran’s ambassador Alireza Delkhosh said that 32 sailors from IRIS Dena and 219 from IRIS Bushehr seek to return home.
The Sri Lankan government has not yet responded to Iran's request.
The attack on IRIS Dena resulted in 104 deaths.
Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized neutrality and denied U.S. warplanes access to its facilities.