By The Pulseline News Desk
A US Navy warship has arrived at the Port of Colombo for a scheduled visit, at a time when nearly 20 Iranian vessels remain in international waters off Sri Lanka amid heightened tensions linked to the US-Iran standoff.
The USS Tulsa (LCS 16), an Independence-variant littoral combat ship, arrived in Colombo on Wednesday (7) for its second visit to Sri Lanka in two years. The vessel is scheduled to refuel and resupply before continuing its mission in the Indo-Pacific.
The timing of the visit comes amid growing attention on Iranian vessels that have been idling off Sri Lanka’s coast. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has said recently that around 19 Iranian vessels were among approximately 47 vessels currently in international waters near Sri Lanka, all beyond the country’s 12-nautical-mile territorial limit. He has stressed that the Government has not been subjected to US pressure over the vessels and would make decisions based on Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, neutrality and international maritime law.
Reports indicate that the Iranian vessels have remained in the area for some time following disruptions to maritime traffic amid the wider US-Iran confrontation. Some reports have linked the vessels to Iran’s sanctioned oil trade and said they have been left stranded or idling after offloading cargoes.
The Government has maintained that the vessels are outside Sri Lankan territorial waters and has said it has no plans to provide them with supplies or other facilities while they remain outside the country’s jurisdiction.
The US Embassy in Colombo has said the visit is aimed at strengthening ties between the US and Sri Lankan navies and builds on longstanding cooperation through ship visits, professional exchanges, training and joint exercises, including Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT).
“Every American ship that visits Sri Lanka is an opportunity to deepen the friendship between our countries and the bonds between our sailors,” US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Meyer has said, adding that such visits help build trust and strengthen bilateral cooperation.
The USS Tulsa previously visited Colombo in August 2025.
The vessel is designed for maritime security, sea control and operations with partner countries across the Indo-Pacific. Built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, it features a distinctive trimaran hull and can reach speeds exceeding 40 knots.
Its large flight deck and adaptable mission spaces allow it to support helicopters, small boats and unmanned systems, as well as personnel and equipment for missions ranging from maritime security to humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
Commissioned in San Francisco on February 16, 2019, the USS Tulsa operates in the Indo-Pacific under the motto “Tough, Able, Ready.”
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