An Iranian naval warship was sunk in the Indian Ocean after it was struck by a torpedo fired from a United States submarine, according to official statements and international reports. The vessel, identified as IRIS Dena, was attacked on 4 March 2026 in international waters approximately 40 nautical miles south of Galle, off the southern coast of Sri Lanka.
The frigate was part of the Iranian Navy’s Southern Fleet and had recently participated in multinational naval activities hosted by India. The ship had taken part in the Milan 2026 naval exercise and the International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam, after which it began its return journey toward Iran.
According to reports from Sri Lankan authorities and international media, the vessel carried roughly 180 personnel at the time of the attack. At least 87 sailors were confirmed dead, while 32 crew members were rescued during a search and rescue operation conducted by the Sri Lankan Navy. Several others were initially reported missing following the explosion and sinking.
Opposition Leaders Raise Alarm
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi raised concerns after an Iranian naval warship was sunk in the Indian Ocean following an attack by a United States submarine.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi highlighted the proximity of the incident to India, writing, “India’s oil supplies are under threat, with more than 40% of our imports transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The situation is even worse for LPG and LNG.”
Referring to the attack near Sri Lanka, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “The conflict has reached our backyard, with an Iranian warship sunk in the Indian Ocean. Yet the Prime Minister has said nothing. At a moment like this, we need a steady hand at the wheel. Instead, India has a compromised PM who has surrendered our strategic autonomy.”
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also responded on X, criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not issuing an official response following the reported strike. Kharge wrote that there had been “no statement of concern or condolence” from the Prime Minister after the sinking of the Iranian warship and said that “PM Modi remains mute.”
In the same post, Kharge further criticised the government’s approach, stating that “clearly, Modi Ji’s SURRENDER is both political and moral!”
What is IRIS Dena?
IRIS Dena was a Moudge-class frigate commissioned into the Iranian Navy in 2021. Built by Iranian naval shipyards in Bandar Abbas, the warship measured about 95 metres in length and displaced roughly 1,500 tonnes.
The vessel was equipped with a range of naval weapons and surveillance systems, including a 76-mm naval gun, anti-ship missiles, torpedo launchers, air-defence missiles and radar systems. It also featured a helicopter deck capable of operating an anti-submarine helicopter.
US Confirmation of the Strike
The United States confirmed responsibility for the attack. During a briefing at the Pentagon, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the Iranian warship had been destroyed by a torpedo fired from an American submarine. He described the strike by saying the vessel was “sunk by a torpedo” and referred to the attack as a “quiet death.”
– Magizh
