Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry stated that the country has assisted in rescuing 40 Iranian sailors from 19 merchant vessels off the coast of Sri Lanka and helped them return to Iran. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Thushara Rodrigo said the Iranian Embassy requested the rescue through diplomatic channels. The sailors disembarked at Galle Port due to an unspecified medical emergency and returned to Iran early this morning after receiving treatment. Earlier this month, Sri Lanka had stated that it had no immediate plans to assist these vessels due to concerns about secondary sanctions.