87 Bodies Recovered After US Strike Sinks Iranian Warship

In a dramatic and unprecedented incident in international waters, the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena has sunk following a US military attack, resulting in the recovery of 87 bodies and the rescue of at least 32 sailors. Authorities fear that additional crew members remain missing, and search-and-rescue operations are ongoing.

According to Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera, the IRIS Dena issued a distress signal between 6:00 and 7:00 local time while approximately 40 nautical miles (around 75 kilometres) south of Galle, a major southern coastal city in Sri Lanka. Official records suggest that the vessel was carrying around 180 crew members, highlighting the scale of the disaster.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Wijita Herath told parliament that the government immediately dispatched naval vessels and Air Force aircraft to assist in the rescue operation upon receiving the emergency signal. Budhika Sampath, a spokesperson for the Sri Lankan Navy, confirmed that no other ships or aircraft were present in the area at the time of the sinking.

At a hospital in Galle, an Al Jazeera correspondent reported that two Iranian officials were sent to interview the rescued sailors to determine the causes of the incident. The Iranian embassy in Colombo confirmed that discussions with the survivors are ongoing to gather further details.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed at a Pentagon briefing that a US submarine launched a torpedo, sinking the Iranian warship in international waters off the Sri Lankan coast. He emphasised that this is the first such direct strike against an enemy vessel since World War II.

Casualties and Rescue Summary

The incident has raised serious international concerns. Analysts warn that this unprecedented naval engagement could escalate tensions in the region. Sri Lankan forces are working closely with Iranian officials to ensure the safety of the survivors and gather intelligence about the attack.

Experts note that the strike challenges conventional norms of international maritime security, highlighting the risks of direct military action in conflict zones. The Indian Ocean region may now face heightened naval scrutiny and diplomatic repercussions as investigations continue.

Rescue teams remain on high alert, searching for missing crew members, while authorities try to piece together the exact circumstances that led to the sinking of IRIS Dena.