US Submarine Torpedoes Iranian Warship Near Sri Lanka, Watch Video

The United States has claimed responsibility for sinking an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka, marking a major escalation in the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said an American submarine launched a torpedo attack that sank the Iranian frigate. The incident has raised serious concerns about naval security in the region and the safety of sailors who were onboard the vessel.

US Claims Submarine Torpedo Strike

Speaking to reporters, Pete Hegseth said the Iranian warship was operating in international waters when it was targeted.

According to him, the vessel believed it was safe at sea but was struck by a torpedo fired from a US submarine.

Hegseth described the strike as a "quiet death," referring to the stealth nature of submarine attacks. He also claimed that it was the first time since World War II that a US submarine had sunk an enemy warship in combat.

Iranian Warship IRIS Dena Sinks in Indian Ocean

Earlier in the day, the Sri Lankan Navy confirmed that an Iranian frigate named IRIS Dena had sunk in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka.

The ship reportedly went down after an explosion onboard. Around 180 crew members were believed to be on the vessel, and nearly 150 sailors were reported missing following the sinking. Authorities fear that several crew members may have died in the incident.

Rescue operations were launched soon after the distress signal was received.

Sri Lanka Launches Rescue Operation

Sri Lankan authorities said they quickly responded after receiving information about the distressed vessel.

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath informed Parliament that Sri Lanka deployed naval ships and Air Force aircraft to assist with search and rescue operations.

Sri Lankan Navy spokesman Buddhika Sampath said that a few bodies of Iranian sailors have already been recovered from the area where the ship sank. Search teams are continuing efforts to locate missing crew members.

Ship Was Returning from Naval Exercise

The IRIS Dena is a Moudge-class frigate of the Iranian Navy. Reports suggest that the ship was returning to Iran after taking part in the MILAN 2026 multinational naval exercise held in Visakhapatnam, India.

The exercise involved naval forces from several countries and is aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation and security in the region.

Wider Conflict at Sea

The sinking of the warship comes amid growing tensions between Iran and the US-Israel alliance.

The Pentagon has indicated that weakening Iran's naval capabilities is one of the strategic objectives of the ongoing conflict. Officials say Iran's navy plays a key role in controlling important maritime routes and projecting military influence in the region.

Planning Behind the Military Operation

According to reports from Israeli military officials, discussions between US and Israeli commanders about military action against Iran began weeks ago.
After Israel decided to launch strikes, top military leaders reportedly coordinated with the Pentagon to plan joint operations.

These preparations eventually led to the current military actions targeting Iranian forces and assets.

Rising Risks in the Indian Ocean

The sinking of the Iranian frigate near Sri Lanka highlights how the conflict is spreading beyond land-based strikes to include naval operations.

The Indian Ocean is a crucial international shipping route, and any military activity in the area raises concerns for global trade and regional security.

As rescue operations continue and tensions remain high, the incident is likely to intensify diplomatic and military responses from the countries involved.