US Submarine Torpedoes and Sinks Iranian Frigate IRIS Dena Off Sri Lanka

A U.S. submarine reportedly fired a torpedo that sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena in international waters off southern Sri Lanka.

“Former President Donald Trump told Reuters the United States wants to be "involved in the process of choosing" Iran's next supreme leader”

Al Jazeera

Various outlets described the action as an uncommon modern naval sinking.

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera reported 'confirmed a U.S. submarine torpedo strike that sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena about 44 nautical miles (81 km) off Sri Lanka’s southern coast.'

PBS said 'An Iranian warship, the IRIS Dena, was sunk by a U.S. submarine in international waters off Sri Lanka.'

Gulf News stated 'An Iranian frigate, IRIS Dena, was struck by a torpedo and sunk off Sri Lanka’s southern coast while sailing home through international waters, officials said.'

Reports of casualties and survivors vary across sources but indicate substantial loss of life and ongoing search-and-rescue operations.

Al Jazeera said 'Sri Lanka recovered 87 bodies, rescued 32 seriously injured survivors and said more than 10 remain missing from roughly 180 people believed to have been aboard.'

Army Recognition

PBS reported 'Sri Lanka’s navy recovered 87 bodies and rescued 32 Iranian sailors from the wreck — a rare submarine torpedoing incident since World War II.'

Gulf News noted 'Rescue teams recovered 84 bodies and saved 32 crew members — earlier death figures had been higher — and search operations for missing sailors continue.'

The sources disagree on the exact number of recovered bodies and the count of missing people, reflecting contradictory figures across the reports.

The Dena had been returning from participation in Indian naval events.

“Sri Lanka has taken temporary custody of the Iranian naval logistics ship IRIS Bushehr after the vessel requested assistance while anchored off its coast following the U”

Associated Press

Iranian officials described the ship as a guest of the Indian Navy.

That characterization was disputed or qualified by other accounts.

The Daily Jagran said the frigate was described as a guest of India's Navy and was carrying about 130 sailors.

Gulf News reported the Dena had just taken part in India’s International Fleet Review and the multilateral MILAN naval exercise in Visakhapatnam.

News9live noted Dena had been returning to Iran after participating in a military exercise in Visakhapatnam.

U.S. officials publicly acknowledged the strike and framed it as a rare and significant use of submarine-launched torpedoes.

Defense leaders released footage and described the sinking in historic terms.

BBC

Al Jazeera reported that the U.S. Defense Secretary released footage of a Mark 48 torpedo impact, confirmed the strike, and called it the first U.S. submarine torpedo sinking of an enemy warship since World War II.

PBS wrote that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the strike, calling it a 'quiet death' and a rare torpedo sinking.

Newstrack English said U.S. officials and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said a U.S. submarine fired a torpedo that sank the IRIS Dena.

The incident has provoked sharp Iranian condemnation, diplomatic alarm and precautionary steps by Sri Lanka, which emphasized neutrality while taking custody of a second Iranian vessel amid fears it might be targeted.

Iran called the action an 'atrocity at sea.'

Deccan Herald

Gulf News reported that Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, accused the United States of carrying out 'an atrocity at sea.'

WION said Iran strongly condemned the reported US torpedo strike, calling the attack an 'atrocity at sea.'

Army Recognition noted that Sri Lanka placed the Iranian replenishment ship IRIS Bushehr under state supervision, allowed the ship in but moved it away from the main commercial harbor, and said it would escort it to Trincomalee.