The United States has urged Sri Lanka not to repatriate Iranian sailors rescued after the sinking of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena, according to an internal cable from the U.S. Department of State reported by Reuters.
The cable, dated March 6, stated that the U.S. Embassy in Colombo had informed Sri Lankan authorities that survivors from the Dena, as well as the crew of the second Iranian vessel IRIS Bushehr currently in Sri Lankan custody, should not be sent back to Iran.
It further noted that Sri Lanka should take steps to minimize any attempts by Iran to use the detained sailors for propaganda purposes.
