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According to 9News, Australian personnel are currently aboard an American submarine as part of the AUKUS alliance’s training exchange program.
In a recent incident, the submarine launched a Mark-48 torpedo that struck the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, resulting in the tragic loss of over 80 Iranian sailors. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth referred to the strike as a “quiet death.”
The IRIS Dena was on its return journey to Iran after participating in joint military exercises off the eastern coast of India.
The Australian Defence Department has declined to disclose the specific ranks or roles of the Australians aboard the US submarine involved in the incident.
“There are established protocols regarding deployments involving third countries to ensure that Australian interests are appropriately managed,” stated a spokesperson for the Defence Department.
“It is not appropriate to go into these details.
“For operational security reasons, the Australian Defence Force does not disclose specific details regarding third country deployments, including the number of personnel or their location.”
“As the United States and Israel have said, the military strikes were initiated and conducted by the United States and Israel – not Australia.”
Sri Lanka’s navy said 87 bodies had been recovered and that 32 Iranian sailors were rescued. The ship had about 180 on board.
IRIS Dena was about 40 nautical miles (75 kilometres) off Galle when it sent a distress call between 6am and 7am AEDT (00:30 to 01:30 GMT).
Up to 100 Australians are expected to be embedded on US submarines as part of the AUKUS rotation program this year.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong told the Senate: “US submarine operations are a matter for the United States.”
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