Sri Lanka is facing a delicate diplomatic crisis after a US submarine torpedoed the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena near the southern port city of Galle. The attack occurred within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone and killed at least 87 Iranian sailors, leaving survivors and bodies to be handled by the island nation. Reports say the United States has urged Sri Lanka not to repatriate survivors from the sunken warship and also asked Colombo not to send back the crew of another Iranian naval vessel, IRIS Booshehr, which is currently in Sri Lankan custody.

The United States says it has issued a 30-day waiver allowing India to purchase Russian oil already at sea, aiming to stabilize global energy markets during escalating tensions in West Asia. At the same time, the Kremlin has refused to disclose how much crude it is exporting to India, citing security concerns and “too many ill wishers.” Russian officials say Moscow is ready to increase oil shipments to India and China as disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz threaten global supply routes.