Sri Lanka's dilemma: Stranded Iranian ships seeking help & threat of US sanctions

Sri Lanka has announced it has no immediate plans to assist 19 Iranian oil tankers anchored in international waters off the island nation's coast, despite shortages of food, water and fuel aboard the vessels.“Sri Lanka will put its national interest first before considering any help, and the companies that supply ships are aware of possible secondary sanctions from the United States,” a foreign ministry spokesperson told reporters in Colombo on October 9.The statement came in response to a Wall Street Journal report earlier this month alleging that US officials had “pressured” Sri Lanka to prevent local shipping firms from supplying the tankers with food and fresh water.However, the foreign ministry spokesperson said the US had not communicated any threat of sanctions if Sri Lanka stepped in to help.