In a major escalation of naval tensions, a US submarine sank the Iranian warship Iris Dena in the Indian Ocean on Tuesday. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the attack, noting it was the first time an American submarine had sunk an enemy ship with a torpedo since World War II.
Hegseth described the strike as a “quiet death” for the vessel, which he said had “thought it was safe in international waters.”
The Human Cost: Casualties and Rescues
Sri Lankan authorities responded quickly to a distress call from the Iris Dena, which sank about 40 km (25 miles) off Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Rescuers recovered 80 bodies and saved 32 crew members, many of whom were seriously injured.
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed that the survivors were taken to a hospital in Galle. Naval documents show that around 180 sailors were on board when the ship was attacked.
International Reactions: Iran Condemns the Attack
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the sinking an “atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran’s shores.” On social media platform X, he warned that the US would “bitterly regret the precedent it has set.”
The attack comes amid ongoing US and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, including Tehran. Iran has retaliated with missile launches into Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Iris Dena: Key Asset in Iran’s Southern Fleet
Launched in 2015, the Iris Dena is a destroyer in Iran’s Southern Fleet. It conducts operations in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. The ship recently participated in the International Fleet Review 2026 hosted by India.
Video footage from the US Department of Defense shows the warship being struck by a torpedo, with its stern lifting before a massive explosion.
Sri Lanka’s Role and Neutrality
Although the sinking occurred outside Sri Lankan waters, the navy carried out rescue operations according to international maritime obligations. Sri Lanka has stayed neutral, calling for “restraint and immediate de-escalation” from all parties.
The government also paid tribute to the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and promised formal condolences for all casualties of the conflict.
Strategic Implications
The sinking of Iris Dena may escalate tensions in the Middle East. It could also change naval operations in international waters. While the US calls it a historic naval strike, Iran has promised retaliation, signaling a new phase in the regional conflict.
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