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.

Azerbaijan is preparing possible retaliatory measures after accusing Iran of sending drones across its border into the Nakhchivan exclave. Azerbaijani authorities say four drones entered their airspace, injuring civilians and damaging infrastructure, including the terminal building at Nakhchivan International Airport.