Agencies | New Yourk : US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed that an American submarine torpedoed and sank an Iranian naval warship in the Indian Ocean, marking what he described as the first sinking of an enemy vessel by torpedo since World War II.
“In fact, yesterday in the Indian Ocean, an American submarine sank an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo — the first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War II,” Hegseth said while addressing the media, as footage of the strike was displayed behind him.
The vessel, identified as the Iranian naval frigate IRIS Dena, reportedly issued a distress call before sinking approximately 40 nautical miles off the port city of Galle, just outside Sri Lankan territorial waters. The Moudge-class warship was said to be returning from India at the time of the incident.
According to reports, at least 80 personnel have been confirmed dead, while more than 100 remain missing from the 180-member crew. Sri Lankan authorities launched an extensive search and rescue operation in response to the distress call.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath informed parliament that 30 injured sailors were being transported to a hospital in southern Sri Lanka. The main hospital in Galle, about 115 kilometres from Colombo, has been placed on high alert. Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara said the Navy and Air Force were jointly engaged in rescue efforts to locate and extract remaining crew members.
Sri Lankan Navy spokesman Buddhika Sampath stated that the rescue mission was conducted in accordance with international maritime obligations. “We responded to the distress call under our international obligations, as this is within our Search and Rescue Area in the Indian Ocean,” he was quoted as saying.
In his remarks, Hegseth also linked the naval strike to broader hostilities with Tehran, referencing a separate targeted operation and reiterating Washington’s hardline stance.
The sinking comes amid escalating regional tensions, with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claiming full control over the Strait of Hormuz and warning of potential missile or drone strikes against vessels transiting the critical oil and gas corridor. US President Donald Trump has countered that the US Navy remains prepared to escort oil tankers through the strategic Gulf route if necessary.
The incident marks a significant escalation in maritime confrontation in the region, raising concerns over further instability in one of the world’s most critical energy transit corridors.
