US Torpedo Sinks Iran’s naval vessel in the Indian Ocean in First Enemy Ship Destruction Since World War II

An Iranian naval vessel went down in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka’s southern coastline following a strike by a United States submarine, according to senior officials from both countries. The incident has reportedly resulted in heavy casualties, with at least 80 fatalities confirmed so far.

The vessel, identified as the Moudge-class frigate IRIS Dena, sank roughly 40 nautical miles off the coast of Galle after transmitting a distress signal. Sri Lankan authorities stated that the ship was carrying approximately 180 personnel at the time of the incident.

Sri Lanka’s Deputy Foreign Minister said on local television that at least 80 sailors were killed when the Iranian warship was struck and subsequently sank. Search and rescue teams have managed to pull 32 survivors from the sea, while more than 100 crew members remain unaccounted for.

Earlier, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath informed Parliament that the frigate had gone down in waters south of the island. Ships and helicopters have been deployed to continue the search for missing sailors.

Confirmation of the strike came from US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who acknowledged that an American submarine had targeted the Iranian naval vessel near Sri Lanka’s southern coast.

.@SECWAR “In the Indian Ocean—an American submarine sunk an Iranian warship, that thought it was safe in international waters.

Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo—Quiet Death.

The first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War 2. Like in that war—back when we were… pic.twitter.com/Y97YQBxQza

— DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) March 4, 2026

“A US submarine sank an Iranian warship off the southern coast of Sri Lanka,” Hegseth stated, hours after Sri Lankan officials reported the vessel’s sinking in international waters.

Survivors earlier recounted hearing a powerful explosion moments before the ship began taking on water. The frigate, built domestically by Iran, had recently attended an international naval event in Visakhapatnam, India, and was en route back to Iran when the incident occurred.

Authorities have not yet released further operational details, while rescue efforts continue in the area amid heightened regional tensions.

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