A U.S. submarine has successfully targeted and sunk the Iranian warship IRIS Dena with a torpedo in the waters off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. This incident marks an escalation in the ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran. Sri Lanka’s deputy foreign minister, Arun Hemachandra, confirmed the identity of the warship and mentioned that it was returning to Iran from an Indian port when the attack occurred.
The location of the attack, hundreds of kilometers away from the Persian Gulf, where U.S. and Israeli forces have been conducting operations against Iran, highlights the expansive nature of the conflict. U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth described the sinking of the Iranian warship by the American submarine as a strategic move, emphasizing the global reach and capability of the U.S. military.
Following the attack, hospital authorities in Galle, Sri Lanka, reported that 87 bodies were recovered, with 32 survivors receiving medical treatment, and approximately 60 individuals still unaccounted for from the estimated 180 people on board the warship. A video released by the Pentagon depicted the moment of impact, showing a massive explosion causing significant damage to the vessel.
While the exact date of the video and the specific type of warship could not be verified, the characteristics observed aligned with the IRIS Dena. The involvement of IRINS Dena in recent naval exercises in the Bay of Bengal further confirms its presence in the region. General Dan Caine, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, lauded the successful mission, stating that over 20 Iranian ships have been targeted or destroyed since the conflict with Tehran began.
Despite the incident occurring outside Sri Lankan waters, the country initiated a search-and-rescue operation upon receiving a distress call. Sri Lankan navy spokesperson Cmdr. Buddhika Sampath reported rescuing survivors from the Iranian vessel, with some survivors attributing the attack to a submarine strike. The commander and senior officers of the warship were among the survivors who recounted the submarine assault to Sri Lankan authorities.
The sinking of the IRIS Dena has heightened tensions in the region, with international repercussions expected as the situation unfolds.