Sri Lanka, Oct. 26 -- Sri Lanka is attempting to balance its diplomatic relations with the United States while remaining prepared to provide humanitarian assistance to Iran, with around 21 Iranian oil tankers reportedly stranded just outside the country's territorial waters.

Sources said the vessels, which are reportedly empty, remain near Sri Lanka's maritime borders. However, the Government has refrained from providing any commercial supplies or logistical support, particularly after the US threatened secondary sanctions against those providing assistance to US-sanctioned Iranian vessels.

On Saturday, two Iranian vessels made distress calls to the Sri Lanka Navy through the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), seeking urgent m...