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In a dramatic naval incident off the coast of Sri Lanka, a U.S. submarine has reportedly sunk an Iranian warship, resulting in the loss of 87 lives while Sri Lanka’s navy managed to save 32 individuals. This event unfolded in the Indian Ocean, with the U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirming the sinking of what he described as Iran’s “prize ship.” During a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth noted the historical significance of this action, marking it as the first time an enemy vessel was taken down by a U.S. torpedo since World War II.
Speaking to the Sri Lankan Parliament, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath detailed how the nation’s navy was alerted to the distress of the IRIS Dena, which had 180 people aboard. In response, Sri Lanka deployed both naval ships and air force aircraft as part of a rescue operation, underscoring the urgency and gravity of the situation.
Navy spokesman Commander Buddhika Sampath recounted the scene upon arrival, describing how the sinking ship had vanished without a trace, leaving only oil slicks and scattered life rafts behind. Among the chaos, survivors were found floating in the water, highlighting the perilous rescue efforts undertaken by the Sri Lankan navy.
The 32 individuals who were rescued have since been transported to a hospital in Galle, a coastal town in southern Sri Lanka, where they are receiving necessary medical care. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to recover and transport the bodies of those who perished back to land, marking a somber end to this maritime tragedy.
He said the 32 people rescued were admitted to a hospital in the seaside town of Galle on the Sri Lanka’s southern coast. The bodies recovered were being brought to land, he said.
Dr. Anil Jasinghe, a top health ministry official, said one of those rescued is in critical condition, seven are receiving emergency treatment and others are being treated for minor injuries.
The IRIS Dena — one of Iran’s newest warships — is a Moudge-class frigate that patrols in deep water for the Iranian navy. It is armed with heavy guns, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles and torpedoes. It also carries one helicopter.
The frigate was the centerpiece of a two-ship international tour in 2023 that included port calls in countries including South Africa and Brazil. It was accompanied by the support ship IRIS Makran, a converted oil tanker.
The U.S. Treasury Department included both ships on a sanctions designation in February 2023 along with eight executives of an Iranian drone manufacturer that supplied the weapons to Russia for use against civilian targets in Ukraine.
At least 17 Iranian naval vessels have been sunk during the ongoing war, said U.S. Adm. Brad Cooper, who leads the American military’s Central Command.
“We are also sinking the Iranian navy — the entire navy,” he said in a video message.