A US Navy submarine has sunk an Iranian warship, IRIS Dena, in the Indian Ocean, marking the first time a US submarine has sunk an enemy warship with a torpedo since World War II. The incident occurred in international waters south of Sri Lanka, where the Iranian frigate was returning from participating in the Indian Navy’s International Fleet Review and Exercise Milan in Visakhapatnam. The US Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, confirmed the attack, stating that the warship was sunk by a torpedo, resulting in the deaths of over 140 crew members, with 32 survivors rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy. ¹ ² ³
The sinking is part of the ongoing Operation Epic Fury, a US-led military campaign against Iran, which has escalated tensions in the region. The US has destroyed or neutralized at least 17-20 Iranian naval vessels, significantly degrading Iran’s naval capabilities. The incident has sparked concerns about regional stability and the potential for further conflict.
