The United States has confirmed that one of its submarines torpedoed and sank an Iranian naval warship in the Indian Ocean, marking a major escalation in the widening regional conflict. A dramatic video released Wednesday shows the moment a torpedo slams into the vessel, triggering a massive explosion before the ship begins to sink beneath the waves.
The warship, identified as IRIS Dena, went down off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Officials say at least 80 people were killed and nearly 150 remain missing following the strike.
Israel-Iran War Latest Update: How Did the IRIS Dena Sink?
According to US officials, a submarine launched a torpedo that struck the stern of the Iranian frigate. The explosion lifted parts of the ship into the air before it started taking on water and eventually sank.
United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed the operation during a statement in Washington.
“Yesterday, in the Indian Ocean, an American submarine sank an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo. Quiet death.”
He further said that this is the first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War II.
The incident reportedly occurred in international waters, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) off Galle, in southern Sri Lanka.
IRIS Dena Submarine Attack: US Releases Video of Torpedo Strike
The video shared by the US Department of War shows a torpedo speeding toward the ship before impact. Seconds later, a powerful blast erupts from the rear section of the vessel. Thick smoke rises as the frigate lists heavily and begins to sink.
This Iranian warship thought it was safe in international waters. It wasn’t.
The @DeptofWar is fighting to win. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/4bGMubuSQu
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 4, 2026
The footage quickly spread across social media platforms, intensifying global attention on the growing maritime conflict in the Indian Ocean.
Warship IRIS Dena: What Did Sri Lanka Say About the Rescue Operation?
The Sri Lankan Navy confirmed that it received a distress signal from the Iranian vessel shortly after the strike. The Navy launched a search and rescue mission with support from the Sri Lankan Air Force.
Earlier reports stated that the ship carried around 180 sailors at the time of the attack. Sri Lankan forces rescued 30 crew members from the water.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed that the rescued sailors were taken to Karapitiya Hospital for medical treatment.
Rescue teams continue searching the area for survivors as families wait for updates on the missing.
Israel-Iran War Latest Update: Operation Epic Fury Expands
The sinking comes as Operation Epic Fury intensifies across the region. US officials confirmed that more bombers and fighter jets entered the theatre of war on Wednesday.
“We are just getting started. We are accelerating, not decelerating. Iran’s capabilities are evaporating by the hour, while American strength grows fiercer, smarter, and utterly dominant,” Hegseth said.
The United States has expanded air and naval deployments in response to escalating hostilities following earlier strikes in the region.
Israel-Iran War Latest Update: Why This Attack Matters?
The torpedo strike on IRIS Dena marks a rare and significant naval engagement. Military analysts note that torpedo-based sinkings have been uncommon in modern warfare, making this a historically notable event.
The attack also raises concerns about maritime security in the Indian Ocean, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. With military operations expanding and tensions running high, regional stability remains uncertain.
As rescue efforts continue off Sri Lanka’s coast, the international community watches closely for the next phase of this rapidly evolving conflict.
