A US Navy submarine sank Iran's IRIS Dena frigate in the Indian Ocean, confirming a significant military development in the region.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that a U.S. Navy submarine sank the Iranian IRIS Dena frigate with a torpedo in international waters of the Indian Ocean. Hegseth's statement also confirmed claims that the ship was sunk off the coast of Sri Lanka on Tuesday night.
In a video released by the Pentagon, it can be seen that a heavy torpedo exploded beneath the stern of the ship, causing the warship to lift into the air and break its keel. When rescue teams arrived at the scene, it was reported that the ship had already sunk, with oil slicks and floating debris found in the area.
Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Defense Aruna Jayasekara stated that so far, 83 bodies have been recovered from the site, and 32 injured individuals have been taken to the national hospital in Galle. It is estimated that approximately 180 Iranian sailors were on board the vessel.
Secretary of Defense Hegseth noted that the attack is a significant military development, stating, 'It was sunk by a torpedo, a silent death. This is the first instance since World War II where an enemy ship has been sunk by a torpedo.'
This attack is also recorded as the first case of a submarine sinking a ship in combat since the British Royal Navy's HMS Conqueror sank the Argentine cruiser ARA General Belgrano during the Falklands War in 1982.
U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Dan Caine claimed that more than 20 Iranian warships have been struck in the ongoing conflicts with Iran. The U.S. Central Command also announced that attacks would continue until the Iranian navy is completely neutralized.
The IRIS Dena attack drew attention due to its occurrence thousands of kilometers away from the conflict zone, off the coast of Galle, Sri Lanka. The area falls under the responsibility of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
Commissioned in 2021, the IRIS Dena was known as one of the most modern warships in the Iranian navy. Equipped with domestically produced engines and weapon systems, the ship had gained prominence during its world tour conducted in 2022-2023. The frigate was sunk shortly after participating in activities held in India as part of the International Fleet Review 2026 event.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
