The IRIS Dena, a destroyer of the Iranian navy, sank in the Indian Ocean after being hit by a torpedo launched from a U.S. submarine, according to U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The incident occurred on Tuesday and marks a significant military event amid the growing escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
During a press conference, Hegseth noted that the attack was directed against a vessel that “believed it was safe in international waters.”
The official explained that the US submarine fired a torpedo that hit the Iranian destroyer, causing it to sink rapidly.
According to the Secretary of War, this is the first time since World War II that a United States submarine has sunk an enemy ship with a torpedo, demonstrating the operational capacity of the US Navy in the current context of conflict.
The Secretary of War of the United States assured that it is the first time since the Second World War that a US submarine has sunk an enemy ship with a torpedo
Sri Lankan authorities reported that they responded to an emergency call from the Iranian vessel on Wednesday morning. The ship sank approximately 40 kilometers off the country's southern coast, within the international search and rescue zone assigned to the Sri Lankan navy. Naval teams sent to the area found oil stains and life rafts floating in the water, confirming that the vessel had disappeared below the surface
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According to Sri Lankan defense officials, at least 80 bodies were recovered from the sea by rescue teams. In addition, 32 crew members survived the sinking and were taken with serious injuries to a hospital in the port of Galle. According to the ship's own records, around 180 people were on board the destroyer at the time of the attack
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The IRIS Dena, launched in 2015, was part of the Iranian Navy's southern fleet, responsible for patrolling strategic areas such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. The ship had recently participated in the “International Fleet Review 2026", an international naval exercise organized by India, which highlights its active role within the Iranian maritime projection in
the region. The IRIS Dena was sunk off the coast of Sri Lanka and most of its crew have died
The collapse comes at a time of increasing conflict in the Middle East. In recent days, Israel and the United States have intensified air strikes against Iranian installations, while the Israeli army claimed to have hit security headquarters in Tehran. In parallel, Israeli forces have also launched operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, after the armed group launched rockets and drones against Israeli territory.
Iran, for its part, would have responded with attacks in different parts of the region. New hits were reported in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, while Turkey said that NATO defenses intercepted an Iranian missile heading towards its territory
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Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan government reiterated its neutrality in the face of the conflict. The authorities noted that the rescue operation was carried out exclusively for humanitarian reasons and in compliance with international maritime search and rescue obligations. The country also called on all parties involved to exercise restraint and work towards an immediate de-escalation
of hostilities. The Turkish government warned Iran about its repeated aggressions against the country
