Iran is in talks for the return of 251 sailors in Sri Lanka after one of its frigates was sunk near the island earlier this month, Tehran’s ambassador said Monday.

Alireza Delkhosh said crews from two vessels ─ 32 men from the IRIS Dena, which was torpedoed by a US submarine, and 219 from the IRIS Bushehr, which was given safe harbour in Sri Lanka ─ wanted to return home.

“We are talking, and we are following this issue with the Sri Lankan government,” Delkhosh said in a press conference broadcast on local networks, but which was not open to international media.

“I do hope that we can solve this problem as soon as possible”, he added, saying that they were being treated well but wanted to leave.

“Their only worry is that they are separated from their families,” Delkhosh said.

There was no immediate reaction from Sri Lankan authorities to Iran’s request.