U.S. Submarine Sinks Iranian Warship Amidst Escalating Conflict
A U.S. Submarine has sunk an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Sri Lanka, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. The incident, confirmed by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, represents the first sinking of an enemy ship by a U.S. Torpedo since World War II.
Details of the Sinking
According to Hegseth, the Iranian frigate, identified as the Iris Dena, was struck by a torpedo late Tuesday night while operating in international waters. He stated the attack demonstrated the U.S.’s ability to project power globally and its commitment to defending its interests. “It was a silent death,” Hegseth said, adding that the U.S. Could “sustain this fight easily for as long as we require to.”
Sri Lankan authorities received a distress call from the Iris Dena at 5:08 a.m. Local time on Wednesday, prompting a search and rescue operation. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed that 32 crew members were rescued and transported to a hospital in Galle, while at least 83 bodies have been recovered from the site The Guardian. The ship was located approximately 44 nautical miles (81km) off the southern coast of Galle, within Sri Lanka’s economic zone but outside its territorial waters.
Escalation of Conflict
The sinking of the Iris Dena expands the scope of the military offensive launched by the United States and Israel against Iran last Saturday. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine stated that U.S. Central Command is making “steady progress” and has destroyed more than 20 Iranian naval vessels and one submarine CBS News. Caine added that the operation has “effectively neutralized, at this point in time, Iran’s major naval presence in theater.”
Hegseth announced plans for a second wave of aerial bombardment, utilizing heavier bombs, and a shift in focus towards targets within Iran’s interior. He asserted that the U.S. Has sufficient ammunition reserves to sustain the offensive, which President Trump estimates could last “four or five weeks” or longer Washington Examiner.
Iranian Capabilities Diminished
U.S. Military officials claim that Iranian ballistic missile launches have decreased by 86% since the start of the conflict, with a 23% reduction in the last 24 hours. Attacks by Iranian drones have reportedly been reduced by 73% CBS News.
International Response
Sri Lanka, a signatory to the international convention on maritime search and rescue, responded to the distress call from the Iris Dena, deploying naval vessels to the area Reuters.