Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Aragchi, strongly criticized the United States for attacking and sinking the Iranian Frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean, labeling it an “atrocity at sea.” Aragchi warned that the US would deeply regret establishing such a precedent. The warship, which had visited the Indian Navy and carried about 130 sailors, was struck without warning in waters far from Iran’s jurisdiction.
The Iranian Foreign Minister’s comments followed an incident where an American submarine torpedoed and sank the IRIS Dena off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. This marked the first time since World War II that the US had used a torpedo from a submarine to sink an enemy ship. The frigate, part of the Iranian Navy, was returning from naval activities in India when it was targeted.
The IRIS Dena, a frigate-class vessel, had participated in the Milan International Fleet Review in the Bay of Bengal from February 18 to 25. During the visit, the Indian Navy welcomed the Iranian warship, highlighting the cultural ties between the two nations. The multinational naval exercise involved 74 countries, with the US Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney initially set to participate but later withdrawing.
Reports indicated that the IRIS Dena was attacked in international waters near Sri Lanka’s southern coast on February 4 while returning from Visakhapatnam in India. US officials did not dispute their involvement in the attack, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledging the sinking of the Iranian vessel. Following the incident, rescue operations were initiated, with the Sri Lankan Navy rescuing around 30 sailors from the IRIS Dena.
The attack has heightened tensions in the region amid an already escalating conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel. The recent hostilities began with coordinated strikes by the US and Israel on Iran, targeting the country’s missile arsenal and nuclear facilities. These attacks led to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
