Sri Lanka recovers 87 bodies from Iranian warship sunk off its coast by a US submarine
Galle, Sri Lanka: In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict involving United States, Israel, and Iran, a U.S. submarine fired a torpedo that sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Sri Lanka, officials said Wednesday.
Authorities in Sri Lanka reported that 87 bodies were recovered and 32 sailors rescued after the vessel went down, making the incident one of the deadliest naval engagements of the conflict so far.
Iranian Warship Destroyed in Rare Submarine Attack
The sunken vessel, identified as IRIS Dena, was considered one of Iran’s most advanced naval ships. According to Pete Hegseth, the attack marked a rare instance of a submarine sinking a warship — something not commonly seen since World War II.
Speaking at a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth said the Iranian ship believed it was safe while operating in international waters.
“An American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo,” he said.
The strike is part of a broader U.S.-Israeli military campaign aimed at weakening Iran’s naval and military capabilities.
Sri Lankan Navy Launches Rescue Mission
After receiving a distress signal from the vessel, the Sri Lankan navy quickly launched a rescue operation involving ships and aircraft, according to the country’s foreign minister Vijitha Herath.
However, by the time rescuers reached the site, the ship had already sunk.
Naval spokesman Buddhika Sampath said rescuers initially saw only floating debris and oil on the water.
“There was no sign of the ship — only oil patches and life rafts. We found people floating in the water,” he said.
Survivors were transported to hospitals in the coastal city of Galle, where several sailors were receiving emergency treatment.
Rescue Efforts and Medical Response
Officials said the rescued sailors were taken to National Hospital Galle.
Health authorities confirmed that:
One survivor is in critical condition
Seven sailors are receiving emergency treatment
Others sustained minor injuries
According to Anil Jasinghe, medical teams were working around the clock to treat survivors and process the bodies brought ashore.
Trucks carrying the bodies arrived at the hospital where a temporary mortuary was set up under tight security.
IRIS Dena: One of Iran’s Newest Warships
The IRIS Dena was among the newest ships in the Iranian navy and was equipped with advanced weaponry, including:
Heavy naval guns
Surface-to-air missile systems
Anti-ship missiles
Torpedoes
A helicopter for reconnaissance operations
The vessel was designed for deep-water patrols and long-range missions.
In 2023, the ship was also sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury along with executives linked to an Iranian drone manufacturer accused of supplying weapons used in the war in Ukraine.
Heavy Losses for Iran’s Navy
The sinking of the IRIS Dena is the latest blow to Iran’s naval forces during the ongoing war.
According to Brad Cooper, commander of United States Central Command, at least 17 Iranian naval vessels have been destroyed since the conflict began.
Military analysts say the operation signals a clear strategy to cripple Iran’s maritime capabilities and limit its ability to project power across the Gulf and surrounding waters.
War Expanding Beyond the Gulf
The sinking of the warship near Sri Lanka also demonstrates how the conflict is expanding beyond traditional Middle Eastern battle zones.
With naval engagements now occurring deep in the Indian Ocean, security experts warn that international shipping lanes and regional waters could become increasingly dangerous as the war escalates.
As tensions continue to rise, the latest incident highlights the growing scale of the confrontation and the potentially devastating consequences for regional stability.
