By Admin 
Amidst the war in the Middle East, America targeted an Iranian warship, in which 87 people died. US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth said that this attack was carried out by an American submarine and the Iranian ship was their target. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told in Parliament that there were about 180 people on board this ship. The ship sank about 40 nautical miles off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The ship had sent a message for help before sinking. This ship was to deliver Iran’s Mauj class frigate IRIS.
The US Defense Department also said that earlier another Iranian warship was also sunk near the Strait of Hormuz. IRIS Dena recently participated in the International Fleet Review 2026 held in India and naval exercises in the Bay of Bengal. This ship had also arrived at Visakhapatnam port two weeks ago and was welcomed by the Indian Navy.
https://t.co/PiqQpVIrMu pic.twitter.com/Wc1e0B0um7
— Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) March 4, 2026
Sri Lankan Navy and Air Force
Sri Lankan Navy and Air Force jointly conducted the rescue operation. So far 32 people have been rescued and many bodies have been pulled out from the sea. The injured are being treated at the government hospital in Galle city. The Sri Lankan Navy said that when its team reached the spot, only oil was visible there and the ship was not visible. The Sri Lankan Army said that the incident took place outside Sri Lankan territorial waters, but Sri Lanka still took the responsibility of helping. No other ship or aircraft was seen there at that time. Initially it was not clear how the ship sank, but later the US Defense Minister confirmed that the attack was carried out by an American submarine. After this statement it became clear that this was not a technical fault but a military action.
🇮🇳🤝🇮🇷Khoshomadid! #IndianNavy welcomes IRIS Dena, a Moudge Class Frigate of the Iranian Navy at #Visakhapatnam, #Andhra Pradesh for participation in the Multilateral Naval Exercise #MILAN2024.
This is a reflection of our shared historical & cultural linkages. 🌊➡️🚢… pic.twitter.com/TTbWgqeuGM
— Eastern Naval Command 🇮🇳 (@IN_HQENC) February 19, 2024