US Submarine Sinks Iranian Warship in Indian Ocean, Says Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth

The United States has claimed that one of its submarines sank an Iranian naval vessel in the Indian Ocean earlier this week, marking a rare naval confrontation amid escalating tensions in the region.

Speaking at a press briefing, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said an American submarine fired a torpedo on Tuesday that destroyed an Iranian warship operating in international waters. According to him, the vessel met what he described as a “quiet death.”

Hegseth did not publicly identify the ship involved. However, the announcement came shortly after officials in Sri Lanka reported responding to a distress call from an Iranian naval vessel named IRIS Dena that had sunk about 40 kilometres off the country’s southern coast.

Casualties and Rescue Operations

Rescue teams from the Sri Lankan Navy recovered dozens of bodies from the water after the incident. A defence official told local media that at least 80 bodies had been found, while 32 sailors were rescued.

Authorities believe approximately 180 people were aboard the vessel, based on official ship documentation. Survivors were reported to have sustained serious injuries and were transported to a hospital in the southern port city of Galle for treatment.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed that the rescued personnel were receiving medical care.

Conflicting Accounts About the Incident

While the US defence secretary stated that the ship was sunk by a submarine torpedo, Sri Lankan officials initially offered a different account.

Sri Lankan Navy spokesperson Budhika Sampath said rescue teams responding to the distress call did not witness any vessels in the immediate area at the time. Instead, they observed oil slicks and life rafts floating on the sea, suggesting a recent maritime disaster.

He also noted that although the location of the incident was outside Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, it fell within the country’s designated search-and-rescue zone under international maritime obligations, which required authorities to respond.

Iranian Warship and Its Role

The warship believed to be involved, IRIS Dena, was launched in 2015 and is part of Islamic Republic of Iran Navy’s Southern Fleet. The fleet typically operates in strategic waterways including the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.

The vessel had recently participated in the International Fleet Review 2026, a multinational naval exercise hosted by India.

Rare Naval Engagement

Hegseth described the incident as historically significant, stating that it marked the first time since World War II that an American submarine had sunk an enemy ship using a torpedo.

While the United States has not carried out such an action since 1945, other countries have used submarine-launched torpedoes in naval conflicts since then.

Video footage released by the United States Department of Defense appears to show a vessel being struck before the stern rises from the water and an explosion follows.

Escalating Regional Conflict

The reported sinking comes amid intensifying hostilities between Iran, Israel and the United States.

For several days, Israel and the US have been conducting air strikes against targets inside Iran. The Israeli military said it struck multiple security-related facilities across the capital, Tehran.

Israel has also launched attacks in Lebanon and deployed ground forces in southern areas after the militant group Hezbollah fired rockets and drones toward Israeli territory.

Iran, in turn, has reportedly carried out retaliatory strikes across the region. Missile attacks were reported in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, while Turkey said NATO defence systems intercepted an Iranian missile heading toward its territory.

Sri Lanka Maintains Neutral Position

Amid the growing conflict, Sri Lanka has emphasised its neutral stance. The government has called for restraint and immediate de-escalation by all parties involved.

Earlier this week, Sri Lanka also expressed condolences following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Officials said the country would issue a formal message acknowledging all deaths linked to the ongoing conflict.

Summary:
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed that an American submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean using a torpedo. The vessel believed to be involved, IRIS Dena, reportedly sank near Sri Lanka’s southern coast, leaving dozens dead and several survivors injured. Sri Lankan authorities carried out rescue operations while maintaining a neutral stance in the escalating regional conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. The incident marks a rare submarine attack and comes amid intensifying military tensions across the Middle East.