A second Iranian ship is now in trouble near Sri Lanka. Just hours after Sri Lanka's navy recovered 87 bodies from the sunken Iranian warship IRIS Dena — sunk by a US submarine on Wednesday — Al Jazeera is reporting that a second Iranian vessel has signaled it is having engine trouble in the same area.
It is not yet clear if the second ship was damaged in fighting or broke down on its own. Sri Lanka has not yet confirmed whether its navy is responding. Al Jazeera reported this about 15 minutes before the time of this update.
This is unconfirmed by a second source at time of publication. We will update when more outlets report.
What We Know About the IRIS Dena Sinking
The IRIS Dena was one of Iran's newest and most powerful warships. It was armed with anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and had a helicopter on board. A US Navy submarine fired a torpedo at it in international waters.
When Sri Lanka's navy arrived at the scene, the ship was already gone. They found only oil patches and life rafts floating on the water. Sailors were in the water. Sri Lanka's navy pulled 32 people alive from the ocean. They also recovered 87 bodies. At least 61 more sailors were still unaccounted for at last report — the ship had 180 crew members.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the attack. He called the IRIS Dena Iran's "prize ship." He said at least 17 Iranian naval vessels have been sunk since the war began on February 28.
Iran has not publicly responded to the sinking.
Overnight Explosions in Tehran — Day 6
Explosions were reported across Tehran overnight. Israel said it is carrying out new strikes on the Iranian capital. Attacks also continued in other Iranian cities.
The total death toll in Iran has now passed 1,045 people since the war began on Saturday, February 28. That number covers six days of US and Israeli airstrikes. Iran says many of those killed are civilians. The US and Israel say they are targeting military sites.
A funeral for Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — killed in the first wave of strikes — remains postponed. Officials say ongoing explosions make large gatherings impossible. The funeral was expected to draw millions.
Wider War — What Else Is Happening
Lebanon: Israeli forces struck Lebanon again overnight, killing two more people, Al Jazeera reported. Fighting in Lebanon is in addition to the main war against Iran.
Qatar on high alert: Qatar raised its threat level to "elevated" overnight. Qatar hosts the largest US air base in the Middle East. Iran has previously struck other Gulf bases in this conflict.
Russia weighs in: Russia's government accused the United States and Israel of "trying to drag" Arab countries into the war. Russia has called for a ceasefire but has not taken military action. Russia is not involved in the fighting.
US Senate blocked war powers limits: On Wednesday, US senators voted 47 to 52 to defeat a resolution that would have forced Trump to stop the war without a formal declaration from Congress. The vote failed. Trump's war powers remain unlimited for now. A House vote is still expected.
Spain says no: The White House said Spain agreed to support US military operations. Spain denied this. Spain's government said it opposes the war. Trump has threatened to cut trade with Spain over the dispute.
US soldiers identified: The Pentagon released the last two names of six US Army Reserve soldiers killed when a drone struck their command center in Kuwait on March 1 — the day after the war began. They are Chief Warrant Officer Robert Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California, and Major Jeffrey O'Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa. Trump said he will attend the dignified transfer ceremony when the soldiers' remains return to the US.
By the Numbers — Day 6
- 💀 1,045+ killed in Iran since Feb. 28
- 🚢 17 Iranian naval vessels sunk (US military, confirmed)
- ⚓ 87 bodies recovered from IRIS Dena · 32 rescued · 61+ missing
- ⚠️ 1 second Iranian vessel now in distress near Sri Lanka (unconfirmed)
- 🇶🇦 Qatar raised to "elevated" threat level
- 🇺🇸 6 US soldiers dead; all now identified
- 🏛️ Senate vote to limit war failed 47–52
IRIS Dena sinking, 87 dead, 32 rescued: AP News + Al Jazeera — Confirmed ✓
Second Iranian vessel in distress near Sri Lanka: Al Jazeera only — ⚠️ Unconfirmed
Tehran explosions, Day 6: Al Jazeera (live blog) — Confirmed ✓
Death toll 1,045+: Al Jazeera + AP News — Confirmed ✓
Lebanon strikes, 2 killed: Al Jazeera — Confirmed ✓
Qatar elevated threat: Al Jazeera — Confirmed ✓
Russia statement: Al Jazeera — Confirmed ✓
Senate vote 47-52: Al Jazeera + AP News — Confirmed ✓
Kuwait soldiers identified: AP News — Confirmed ✓