Iranian Frigate IRIS Dena Sunk by U.S. Submarine Following Indian Naval Exercises; 87 Confirmed Dead

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally condemned the “unprovoked and cold-blooded” sinking of the frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean. The vessel, which was operating in international waters, was destroyed by a heavyweight torpedo fired from a United States nuclear-powered attack submarine on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

The Incident: A “Quiet Death” in the Indian Ocean

The IRIS Dena was struck without warning approximately 40 nautical miles south of Galle, Sri Lanka.

• The Strike: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the attack, describing it as a “quiet death” for a “prize ship.” Pentagon footage suggests a single Mk-48 torpedo detonated beneath the keel, snapping the 1,500-tonne frigate in half.

• Casualties: Of the estimated 180 personnel on board, Sri Lankan authorities have recovered 87 bodies. While 32 sailors were rescued, over 60 remain missing in the deep waters of the Laccadive Sea.

The Context: From Guest to Target

The sinking has sparked international outrage due to the ship’s recent diplomatic itinerary:

• The Return Journey: The IRIS Dena was sailing home after participating in the MILAN-2026 multilateral naval exercise and the International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam, India.

• The Invitation: The vessel had arrived in India on February 16 as an official guest of the Indian Navy, celebrating “long-standing cultural links” between the two nations. It was torpedoed just days after departing Indian shores.

The Element of Betrayal: India’s Role Questioned

Tehran has characterized the incident as a “betrayal of the highest order,” pointing to the perceived complicity of the Indian government.

• Intelligence Sharing Allegations: While New Delhi has dismissed such claims as “baseless,” Iranian officials and Indian opposition leaders have questioned how a “stealthy” U.S. submarine could track and strike a guest of the Indian Navy so precisely after it left an Indian port.

• The Silence of New Delhi: The Modi government’s refusal to explicitly condemn the strike on its former guest has been termed a “blot on India’s foreign policy.” Critics argue that India’s shift toward the U.S.-Israel axis led to the “abandonment” of the Iranian sailors who had just participated in joint drills with Indian forces.

• The 11-Hour Wait: Reports indicate the ship was forced to wait in open, exposed waters for nearly 11 hours after Sri Lankan authorities—under alleged diplomatic pressure—revoked a previously extended port-call invitation.

The Rescue Operation

The Sri Lankan Navy acted as the primary first responder, deploying two craft and a plane to the oil-slicked site.

• Survivors: The 32 rescued mariners, including the ship’s commander, were rushed to the Karapitiya Hospital in Galle, where they are being treated for fractures and burns.

• Late Assistance: The Indian Navy eventually joined the search-and-rescue (SAR) efforts on Thursday, deploying a maritime patrol aircraft and the INS Ikshak to assist the Sri Lankan teams, though Iranian media dismissed this as a “belated humanitarian gesture” following the initial betrayal.

Iranian Response

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Washington would “bitterly regret” setting a precedent of attacking naval guests in international waters. Iran maintains that the IRIS Dena was in a “non-combat configuration” and essentially “defenseless” at the time of its destruction.

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