Iran Navy Vows Retaliation After Fatal Attack in Indian Ocean

The Iranian Navy has issued a strong warning of retaliation following the deaths of dozens of sailors in the Indian Ocean. Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, commander of Iran's naval forces, declared that the country's adversaries would face "deadly strikes" in response to what Tehran has described as a deliberate attack on one of its warships near Sri Lanka, ANI reported.

According to Iranian state broadcaster Press TV, Admiral Irani claimed that the incident would not be forgotten. "We will not forget the enemy's crime, and we will exact retribution for the blood of our martyrs," he said. He added that Iran's response would be unexpected in both timing and execution, designed to catch its opponents off guard.

The admiral acknowledged the grief within the naval forces but insisted that Iran remained in a position of strength. "Although today we mourn our loved ones, by the grace of God, we have brought the enemy to its knees," he remarked.

This statement follows earlier comments by Iran's Army chief, Major General Amir Hatami, who warned that the deaths of crew members from the IRIS Dena warship "will not go unanswered." Hatami explained that the vessel had completed a peaceful mission and was attacked while returning to Iran, despite not being engaged in combat. He described the sacrifice of the sailors as a lasting symbol of courage in Iran's naval history.

On Friday, the Iranian administration reinforced its position by releasing images of the coffins of the fallen sailors. The Iranian embassy in India posted on X, referring to the deceased as "naval martyrs" who lost their lives in what Tehran alleges was a "terrorist attack by US forces."

Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided further details, claiming that the Dena was torpedoed and sunk by a US submarine approximately 40 nautical miles off the coast of Galle, Sri Lanka. He condemned the strike as a "war crime" and a violation of international law, citing UN General Assembly Resolution 3314 and the Geneva Conventions. Baqaei also alleged that the United States obstructed rescue operations.
Iran maintains that the Dena had been invited by the Indian Navy for a joint exercise and a port visit before the attack occurred near Indian and Sri Lankan waters.

The incident took place on 4 March, when the Dena was struck by a torpedo around 20 nautical miles west of Galle. The ship subsequently sank south of Sri Lanka. In response, the Indian Navy deployed assets including INS Tarangini, INS Ikshak, and P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to support Sri Lanka-led search and rescue efforts.

Of the estimated 180 crew members on board, around 87 sailors were reported dead. Approximately 32 survivors were rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy and taken to hospitals in Galle.