US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said an American submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean. He confirmed the ship went down after a torpedo strike on Tuesday.
He described the sinking as a “quiet death.” He did not name the vessel.
Sri Lankan officials said their navy responded to a distress call from an Iranian destroyer named IRIS Dena. The ship sank about 40km off Sri Lanka’s southern coast.
Rescue teams recovered 80 bodies from the water. Authorities rescued 32 survivors. Officials believe around 180 people were on board. Survivors suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital in Galle.
Hegseth said the submarine targeted an Iranian warship operating in international waters. He called it the first sinking of an enemy ship by US torpedo since World War Two.
The US Department of Defense released video footage. It showed a ship being struck. The stern lifted before a large explosion followed.
Sri Lankan navy spokesman Budhika Sampath earlier rejected reports of a submarine attack. He said rescuers found oil patches and life rafts but saw no ships in the area at first. He added that the location was outside Sri Lankan waters but within its search and rescue zone. Sri Lanka responded under international obligations.
The IRIS Dena, launched in 2015, served with Iran’s Southern Fleet. The fleet operates in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. The destroyer recently joined International Fleet Review 2026 hosted by India.
The sinking comes as the US and Israel continue air strikes on Iran. Israeli forces reported strikes on security sites in Tehran. Israel also launched operations in Lebanon after attacks from Hezbollah.
Iran carried out new retaliatory strikes across the region. Reports said missiles targeted Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Turkey said NATO defenses intercepted a missile heading toward its territory.
Sri Lanka has stayed neutral. Officials called for restraint and immediate de-escalation from all sides.
Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath paid tribute to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei after his assassination. A government spokesman later said Sri Lanka would send condolences for all victims of the conflict.
Tensions remain high as military actions continue across the region.
