Colombo: The United States says it respects and recognizes Sri Lanka’s sovereignty in handling the situation involving the Iranian vessel IRIS Bushehr and its crew.

According to News.LK, a spokesperson stated that the final decision regarding the fate of the vessel, its crew, and the Iranian sailors who were rescued at sea rests with Sri Lanka, in accordance with its domestic laws and international legal obligations.

The spokesperson further noted that the United States is continuing dialogue with Sri Lanka, emphasizing that its primary objective is to mitigate what it described as the threat posed by Iran to the United States and its partners.