Ask Onix
US confirms sinking of Iranian frigate
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday that an American submarine torpedoed and sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean earlier this week. The incident, described as the first enemy vessel sunk by a US torpedo since World War II, has escalated tensions amid ongoing regional hostilities.
Sri Lanka responds to distress call
Sri Lankan authorities reported receiving a distress signal from the Iranian frigate Iris Dena on Wednesday morning, approximately 40 kilometers off the country's southern coast. Rescue teams recovered 80 bodies and rescued 32 survivors, who were transported to a hospital in Galle with serious injuries, according to Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.
A navy spokesman stated that around 180 crew members were believed to have been aboard the vessel, based on documentation. Rescuers initially observed only oil slicks and life rafts, with no sign of the ship or other vessels in the area.
Iran condemns attack as 'atrocity'
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denounced the sinking as a deliberate act of aggression, accusing the US of committing an "atrocity at sea" in international waters. In a post on X, he asserted that the Iris Dena, which had participated in a recent Indian naval exercise, was struck without warning while carrying nearly 130 sailors.
"Mark my words: The US will come to bitterly regret the precedent it has set."
Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister
US claims self-defense, releases footage
Hegseth stated at a press conference that the Iranian warship was targeted after being deemed a threat, though he did not specify the vessel's name. The US Department of Defense released video footage showing a torpedo striking the ship, causing its stern to rise before an explosion.
While the Pentagon claimed this was the first enemy vessel sunk by a US submarine torpedo since 1945, historical records indicate that both the UK and Pakistan have used torpedoes to sink ships in subsequent conflicts.
Broader regional conflict intensifies
The sinking occurs amid a fifth consecutive day of US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, with Israel reporting strikes on "security headquarters" in Tehran. Simultaneously, Israel has conducted operations in Lebanon following rocket and drone attacks by Hezbollah.
Iran has retaliated with strikes on Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, while Turkey reported intercepting an Iranian missile targeting its territory. Sri Lanka, maintaining neutrality, has called for de-escalation but paid tribute to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameini following his assassination over the weekend.
Vessel details
Launched in 2015, the Iris Dena is a destroyer assigned to Iran's Southern Fleet, responsible for operations in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman. The ship had recently participated in India's International Fleet Review 2026.
