An Iranian naval frigate, IRIS Dena, has reportedly been sunk after being struck by a torpedo launched from a United States submarine, marking what officials describe as the first time a U.S. submarine has destroyed an enemy vessel since World War II.
According to military officials, the warship was hit in the Indian Ocean, approximately 25 miles off the coast of Sri Lanka, triggering a massive explosion that ultimately caused the vessel to sink.
Footage released by the United States Department of War shows a large blast tearing through the side of the frigate moments after the torpedo strike, sending flames and debris into the surrounding waters.
Heavily Armed Frigate Destroyed
The IRIS Dena was considered one of the Iran navy’s most advanced surface combat vessels. The frigate was equipped with heavy naval guns, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and a flight deck capable of supporting military helicopters.
Military sources said the vessel had recently taken part in a joint naval exercise off the eastern coast of India and was believed to be returning to Iranian waters at the time of the strike.
Rescue Operation Underway
Authorities in Sri Lanka launched an emergency maritime rescue operation after distress signals were received from the stricken vessel.
Officials said 32 sailors were pulled from the water by rescue teams. One of the survivors is reportedly in critical condition, while seven others are receiving emergency medical treatment.
However, more than 100 crew members remain unaccounted for.
Sri Lanka’s deputy foreign minister told local broadcasters that at least 80 sailors are feared to have been killed in the attack, although the final casualty figures have yet to be confirmed.
U.S. Officials Describe Strike as Strategic Milestone
Reacting to the incident, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the sinking as a significant moment in the ongoing confrontation between the United States and Iran.
“In the Indian Ocean, an American submarine sank an Iranian warship that believed it was operating safely in international waters,” Hegseth said in a statement.
“It was instead destroyed by a torpedo—what sailors often call the ‘quiet death.’ This is the first sinking of an enemy ship by a U.S. submarine torpedo since World War II. Like in that war, we are fighting to win.”
Escalating Naval Confrontation
The sinking of the Iranian frigate comes amid intensifying military hostilities in the Middle East and surrounding regions.
Earlier statements from the United States military indicated that American forces had already destroyed at least 17 Iranian naval vessels since the start of the current conflict.
U.S. officials have suggested that the broader military objective is to significantly weaken Iran’s naval capabilities.
Regional Tensions Continue to Rise
The latest development follows a dramatic escalation in regional tensions after the reported killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei during joint airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel.
In response, Iran has launched a series of retaliatory attacks targeting American military installations and diplomatic facilities across the region.
Targets have reportedly included sites in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
Drone Strike Reported Near U.S. Consulate in Dubai
Authorities in Dubai confirmed that a drone strike occurred near the United States Consulate Dubai, causing a fire in a nearby parking facility.
No casualties were reported.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the drone struck a car park adjacent to the consulate’s chancery building.
“As I arrived, I saw the reports regarding the Dubai consulate,” Rubio said. “The last update I received indicated that a drone struck a parking lot next to the chancery building, which triggered a fire. All personnel are accounted for.”
Rubio added that the United States had already begun scaling down staff at several diplomatic facilities in the region as a precaution ahead of the escalating hostilities.
