US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the strike as a "quiet death" and the first US torpedo sinking of an enemy ship since World War II. Sri Lankan authorities rescued 32 crew members from the Iranian warship, but hold low hopes of finding more survivors among the 148 missing
An ambulance enters Sri Lanka's southern naval head quarters in Galle to pick up Iranian sailors rescued from the ship. PIC/AFP
A US submarine torpedoed and sank an Iranian naval frigate in the Indian Ocean on Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed, describing the strike as a demonstration of America's reach in the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran.
"An American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo," Hegseth told reporters.
Hegseth termed the attack a "quiet death" and noted it was the first US sinking of an enemy ship by torpedo since World War II.
"Like in that war," he said, "we are fighting to win."
The Pentagon has stated that one of the primary objectives of the US-Israeli conflict against Iran, which began on Saturday, is to eliminate the Iranian navy.
The sunken vessel was identified as the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena.
US-Israel, Iran conflict: 'Difficult to give any numbers, but bodies have been found'
Sri Lankan authorities reported rescuing 32 crew members from the warship, while 148 other sailors remain missing, with low hopes of finding more survivors.
Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister, Vijitha Herath, informed the Parliament that an emergency distress call was received at 5.08 am from IRIS Dena, located about 40 nautical miles (approximately 40 kilometres or 25 miles) south of the southern port of Galle. He said around 180 personnel were believed to be on board, with 30 rescued (later updated to 32 by the navy).
The rescued Iranian sailors, wearing naval uniforms, were initially taken to the Sri Lanka Navy's Southern Command headquarters and later admitted to Karapitiya Hospital in Galle for treatment. Security has been stepped up around the hospital and the naval headquarters.
Sri Lankan Navy spokesperson Commander Buddhika Sampath confirmed that when rescue teams arrived, they observed a large oil slick, indicating the ship had fully sunk. Several bodies were recovered near the distress signal location.
"At this point, it is difficult to give any numbers, but bodies have been found. As they were found closer to the point of distress, it is accepted that they were from the same ship," Sampath said.
"When our teams reached the scene, we observed a large oil slick, indicating that the ship had sunk," he added.
Sampath categorically rejected media reports suggesting the ship was sunk in a submarine attack, stating: "We are only concerned about our obligation to rescue them as first responders under international maritime obligations."
He emphasised that the operation was conducted in line with Sri Lanka's search and rescue responsibilities in the Indian Ocean, as the incident fell within the country's designated zone, though outside territorial waters.
Air Force Spokesman Nalin Wewakumbura said no other vessels or aircraft were detected in the area where the distress signal originated.
Foreign Minister Herath reiterated Sri Lanka's neutrality in the Middle East conflict, expressing deep regret over the situation and urging a peaceful resolution through dialogue.
Sri Lanka has a significant workforce of over one million citizens employed in the Middle East, making it a vital source of foreign exchange for the country recovering from its 2022 economic crisis.
Both the Sri Lankan Navy and Air Force declined to release footage of the rescue operation, citing that it involved the military of another state.
The cause of the sinking will be determined later through specialised investigations, officials said.
There was no immediate comment from the Indian Navy, though reports noted the IRIS Dena had been part of a joint naval exercise hosted by India prior to the incident. The Iranian Ambassador in Colombo was not immediately available for comment.
(With AFP and PTI inputs)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
