- Sri Lanka dispatched two naval vessels within hours in line with its obligations under international maritime law
- He described it as the first time since World War II that an enemy ship had been sunk by a torpedo
- Authorities confirmed that at least 80 people died in the incident, while 32 crew members were rescued
The United States has confirmed carrying out a submarine torpedo strike that destroyed an Iranian naval vessel off Sri Lanka’s southern coast, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing Middle East conflict.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the attack was conducted by a US Navy submarine late Tuesday, resulting in the sinking of an Iranian frigate operating in international waters near Sri Lanka, Eko Hot Blog reports.
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He described it as the first time since World War II that an enemy ship had been sunk by a torpedo.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Vijitha Herath, said the country’s coastguard received a distress signal at 5:08 a.m. Wednesday from an Iranian naval ship identified as the Iris Dena.
Crew members reported an explosion on board. In response, Sri Lanka dispatched two naval vessels within hours in line with its obligations under international maritime search and rescue agreements.
The vessel was located about 44 nautical miles off the southern city of Galle, outside Sri Lanka’s territorial waters but within its exclusive economic zone. Authorities confirmed that at least 80 people died in the incident, while 32 crew members were rescued and taken to the hospital in Galle.
The strike comes days after joint US-Israeli military operations against Iran, expanding hostilities beyond the Middle East. It represents the first direct US attack on Iranian military assets outside the region since the conflict began.
The Iris Dena was reportedly one of Iran’s newest frigates, equipped with advanced weapons systems, including missiles and torpedo launchers. It is believed to have been returning from an international fleet review hosted by India’s navy.
Sri Lankan Navy spokesperson Buddhika Sampath said rescue operations were ongoing, with priority given to saving survivors. A senior Sri Lankan official indicated that Iran had privately conveyed suspicions that the ship was deliberately targeted by the US. According to the same source, Iranian officials alleged that the vessel’s defense systems may have been disabled before the strike. Tehran has not issued an official public statement on the matter.
Another Sri Lankan defense source suggested the ship was likely struck by two torpedoes. Security analyst Rohan Gunaratna also said he had received information indicating the vessel was hit in a submarine attack.
The main US naval base in the Indian Ocean is located at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Archipelago, more than 1,000 miles from Sri Lanka.
The broader conflict has intensified in recent days. Heavy US and Israeli bombardments have reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several senior officials, and damaged key missile and air defense systems. In retaliation, Iran launched missile attacks across the region and suspended oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route.
Fighting continued into a fifth day, with further strikes reported in Tehran. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed support for the United Arab Emirates after it was targeted in Iranian retaliatory attacks, stating that Sri Lanka stands ready to assist the UAE if needed.
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