US Submarine Sinks Iranian Warship in Indian Ocean, Hegseth Says

Published: March 5, 2026
The English Chronicle Desk
The English Chronicle Online

The conflict between the United States and Iran expanded well beyond the Gulf this week after a US Navy submarine torpedoed and sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed at a Pentagon briefing. The strike, which occurred in international waters off the coast of Sri Lanka, represents a significant escalation as the military campaign enters its second week.

Hegseth said the attack involved a torpedo fired by an American fast‑attack submarine that struck the Iranian frigate while it was operating in deep water, describing the vessel as a combatant that “thought it was safe in international waters.” He framed the action as part of broader US operations aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities and asserted that it was the first time a US submarine had sunk an enemy warship with a torpedo since the Second World War.

The Iranian naval vessel, identified by Sri Lankan authorities as the IRIS Dena, was reportedly struck approximately 40 nautical miles south of Galle in the Indian Ocean. Sri Lankan forces responded to a distress call from the ship and coordinated rescue efforts. They recovered 32 survivors, some of whom were seriously injured, and found dozens of bodies, while about 80 crew members are believed to have been killed in the strike.

The sinking of the warship marks a rare instance of traditional naval combat in a conflict that has otherwise been dominated by airstrikes, missile exchanges and drone attacks. It also deepens concerns over the geographical expansion of hostilities involving the United States and Iran, which began after a series of escalatory events in the Middle East. In recent days US and Israeli forces have conducted air operations against Iranian targets, while Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks against US and allied positions in the region.

Hegseth’s comments reflected a forceful tone, suggesting that the United States intends to sustain military pressure and achieve decisive results against Iranian forces. At his briefing, he described the broader naval campaign as having “decimated” Iran’s naval presence and underscored America’s ability to operate far from home waters. He reiterated that Washington can continue the fight “for as long as we need to,” indicating that US military leaders do not anticipate a quick end to the confrontation.

International reaction has been swift. Tehran condemned the strike as an act of aggression and warned of serious consequences, while diplomatic contacts in capitals from New Delhi to Colombo emphasised concern about the conflict spreading beyond regional borders. Sri Lankan authorities have emphasised that the attack occurred in international waters and that their rescue operations were conducted in accordance with maritime protocols.

The sinking of the IRIS Dena and the loss of life have raised questions about the legality and strategic impact of extended US military operations outside the immediate theatre of conflict. Legal scholars and foreign policy analysts have noted that submarine torpedo attacks on surface warships are virtually unprecedented in recent decades, and the implications for international maritime norms are likely to be debated in the weeks ahead.

As military developments continue at sea and in the air, diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation have so far failed to make headway. With tensions high and both sides showing little sign of de‑escalation, the incident off Sri Lanka underscores how the fighting has expanded, drawing in regions far from the initial flashpoints in the Gulf.

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