According to information from Sri Lankan authorities, the sunken vessel was the IRIS Dena, one of the Iranian Navy's newest warships. The ship met its end in the Indian Ocean off Sri Lanka while transiting the region.
Warship Struck by Torpedo
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that a U.S. submarine launched a torpedo at the vessel.
Speaking at a Pentagon press conference, he affirmed that U.S. forces in the Middle East are ready for high-intensity combat scenarios:
“A U.S. submarine has sunk an Iranian warship that believed it was safe in international waters.”
Video released by the U.S. Department of Defense shows a massive underwater explosion, causing the ship to break apart as a giant plume of water shot into the air.
Sri Lankan Forces Join Rescue Efforts
According to Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, the IRIS Dena issued a distress signal while approximately 180 people were on board.
The Sri Lankan Navy deployed rescue ships and aircraft, but the vessel had already submerged by the time they arrived.
Navy spokesperson Buddhika Sampath said:
“We no longer see the ship, only oil slicks and life rafts. Some people are floating in the sea.”
Condition of Survivors
The rescued individuals were taken to a hospital in the city of Galle.
According to health official Anil Jasinghe:
- 1 person is in critical condition
- 7 people require emergency treatment
- The rest sustained minor injuries
The bodies of the Iranian sailors were transported to the hospital and kept in a temporary area under the protection of the Sri Lankan police and navy.
One of Iran's Newest Warships
The IRIS Dena is a modern Iranian warship equipped with:
- Heavy cannons
- Anti-aircraft missiles
- Anti-ship missiles
- Torpedoes
- 1 helicopter
The strength of Iran's fleet is under immense pressure amid reports that Iran is preparing to purchase supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles from China to bolster its naval defenses. According to Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. military forces in the Middle East, at least 17 Iranian naval vessels have been sunk since the start of hostilities, particularly after U.S. B-2s directly hit Iranian missile bases.
The Trump administration has repeatedly stated that one of the objectives of the current military campaign is to neutralize Iran's naval power, a point also highlighted in the full text of President Trump's speech regarding strike operations against Tehran.
