A US submarine torpedoed and sank an Iranian navy ship on Wednesday. The ship was called the IRIS Dena. It was a frigate — a mid-sized warship. The attack happened about 44 nautical miles (81 km) off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, in international waters in the Indian Ocean.
It is the first time a US submarine has sunk an enemy warship using a torpedo since World War II.
What Happened
Sri Lanka's coast guard got a distress call from the IRIS Dena early Wednesday morning. When rescue ships arrived, the frigate was already gone. Only an oil slick and life rafts were left floating on the water.
Sri Lanka's navy pulled 87 bodies from the sea. They rescued 32 survivors, all seriously injured, and took them to Galle National Hospital. More than 10 sailors are still missing. The ship had about 180 people on board.
The US Department of Defense released black-and-white video showing the moment the torpedo hit. The underwater blast tears the ship apart. A large column of water rises into the air.
Where the Ship Had Been
The IRIS Dena had just attended a peaceful international navy event in India. The Indian Navy hosted the "MILAN 2026" naval exercises in the port city of Visakhapatnam from February 15 to 25. Seventy-four countries sent warships to that event — including Iran.
India's defense ministry confirmed the Iranian frigate took part. Photos showed Iranian sailors posing on deck with their flag. The ship was sailing home to Iran when it was sunk.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the ship had been "a guest of India's navy." He called the sinking "an atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles from Iran's shores." He said the US "will come to bitterly regret" the attack.
What the US Said
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the attack at a Pentagon press briefing. He called the IRIS Dena a "prize ship" and said: "An American submarine sank an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Quiet death."
President Trump has said one of his goals in this war is to destroy Iran's entire navy. Hegseth said the sinking shows the US-Israeli military operation is now reaching beyond the Middle East.
A Second Iranian Ship Is Now Seized
On Thursday, a second Iranian warship — the IRIS Bushehr — appeared near Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's president said his navy would take the ship into custody to protect its crew and keep the peace.
Sri Lanka transferred 208 sailors from the IRIS Bushehr to the port of Colombo. The warship itself was moved to the eastern port of Trincomalee. Sri Lankan officials said they were trying to "minimize loss of life and safeguard regional peace."
This is a rare situation: a neutral third country taking custody of a warship from one of the warring sides.
India Caught in the Middle
The sinking has put India in an awkward spot. India presented itself as a neutral power and a protector of peace in the Indian Ocean. The IRIS Dena was sailing away from an Indian-hosted event when it was destroyed — and India could not stop it.
India has not made a public statement about the sinking as of this report. Al Jazeera's coverage noted the event "blew a hole" in India's claim to be a security provider in the region.
Congress Votes: Trump Keeps War Powers
Also on Thursday, the US House of Representatives voted to reject a war powers resolution that would have limited Trump's ability to bomb Iran without congressional approval. The Senate had already rejected a similar bill. With both chambers voting it down, Trump can continue military operations against Iran with no limits from Congress.
Where Things Stand — Day 7
- IRIS Dena: Sunk by US submarine torpedo — 87 dead, 32 rescued, 10+ missing
- IRIS Bushehr: 208 crew evacuated — ship in Sri Lankan custody
- US Navy goal: Destroy Iran's entire naval force (stated by Trump)
- Iran's response: "Atrocity at sea" — vowed consequences
- Congress: Both Senate and House rejected war powers limits
- Death toll in Iran: 1,230+ (Iranian state media)
Iran says it is fighting for its survival. The US says it is protecting its allies and dismantling Iran's military. Sri Lanka — a country not involved in the war — is now holding an Iranian warship and 208 Iranian sailors in its ports.