US sub sinks Iranian warship in Indian Ocean, Hegseth says

March 5, 2026

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that an American submarine torpedoed and sank the Iranian warship Iris Dena in the Indian Ocean on Tuesday, marking the first US submarine torpedo attack since World War II. The frigate, which had approximately 130-180 people aboard and was returning from military exercises hosted by India, sank roughly 40 kilometers off Sri Lanka's coast. Sri Lankan rescue teams recovered 80 bodies and rescued 32 seriously injured survivors following a Wednesday morning distress call.

Who is affected

Approximately 130-180 Iranian sailors aboard the Iris Dena (80 confirmed dead, 32 rescued and seriously injured)
Iran's Southern Fleet and military command
The United States military and diplomatic relations
Sri Lankan navy and medical personnel conducting rescue operations
India (the frigate had been participating in Indian-hosted military exercises)
Regional actors including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Turkey experiencing retaliatory strikes

What action is being taken

Sri Lankan navy and rescue teams are conducting search and recovery operations
Survivors are receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Galle, Sri Lanka
The US and Israel are launching ongoing air strikes on Iran (fifth consecutive day)
Israel is conducting air strikes on Lebanon and has deployed ground forces to southern Lebanon
Iran is carrying out retaliatory attacks in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and toward Turkey

Why it matters

This represents a significant escalation in US-Iran military confrontation, marking the first time since 1945 that an American submarine has sunk an enemy vessel with a torpedo. The attack occurred in international waters far from Iranian shores against a vessel returning from diplomatic military exercises, potentially setting a controversial precedent for future naval engagements. The incident intensifies an already volatile regional conflict involving multiple nations and threatens to expand the scope of military hostilities beyond current air and ground operations, with Iran promising severe retaliation for what it calls an unprovoked attack on its naval forces.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC