In a major military engagement in the Indian Ocean, a United States submarine has targeted and sunk the Iranian naval frigate IRIS Dena. The incident occurred off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth officially confirmed that a US submarine launched a torpedo attack on the Iranian vessel. At the time of the strike, the warship was carrying approximately 180 personnel. Reports indicate that at least 87 sailors lost their lives, while the Sri Lankan Navy managed to rescue 32 survivors from the site.
Rescue Operations and Casualty Reports
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath informed Parliament that the national navy received distress signals indicating that the IRIS Dena was sinking. In response, the island nation deployed naval vessels and Air Force aircraft for a search and rescue mission. Navy spokesperson Commander Buddhika Sampath stated that by the time rescue teams reached the coordinates, the ship had disappeared, leaving only oil slicks and life rafts, while the 32 rescued individuals, many with severe injuries, were transported to a hospital in the southern port city of Galle. Health officials confirmed that one survivor remains in critical condition.
Technical Profile of IRIS Dena
The IRIS Dena was a prominent asset of the Iranian Navy, belonging to the Moudge-class of frigates. Designed for blue-water operations, the vessel was equipped with advanced weaponry, including heavy naval guns, surface-to-air missiles, and anti-ship cruise missiles. It also featured torpedo launchers and a flight deck for a maritime helicopter. The frigate was considered a symbol of Iran's domestic naval manufacturing capabilities and was frequently utilized for long-range international deployments and maritime patrols.
Historical Significance of the Torpedo Attack
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth highlighted the historical nature of the operation, noting that this marks the first time since World War II that a US submarine has sunk an enemy vessel using a torpedo. While the US Navy has been involved in numerous conflicts since 1945, the specific use of a submarine-launched torpedo to destroy a surface warship is a rare occurrence in modern naval history. Hegseth referred to the IRIS Dena as a 'prize ship' of the Islamic Republic, emphasizing the strategic weight of the engagement in the Indian Ocean region.
Sanctions and International Deployments
The IRIS Dena gained international attention in 2023 during a global circumnavigation tour that included port calls in Brazil and South Africa. It was accompanied by the IRIS Makran, a converted oil tanker serving as a base ship. In February 2023, the US Treasury Department added both vessels to its sanctions list. The sanctions were linked to Iranian entities involved in supplying military hardware, including drones, to Russia, while uS officials had previously monitored the vessel's movements as part of broader efforts to enforce international maritime restrictions.
Escalation in Regional Naval Warfare
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of the US military's Central Command, stated in a video message that at least 17 Iranian naval vessels have been sunk during the ongoing period of heightened hostilities. He indicated that US forces are actively countering Iranian naval operations in strategic waterways. The Sri Lankan Navy continues to recover bodies from the area, with 87 confirmed fatalities brought to shore so far. This incident represents a significant escalation in maritime tensions and has drawn international attention to the security dynamics of the Indian Ocean.