The United States military sank an Iranian warship with a torpedo, according to Defense Minister Hegseth. Hegseth did not confirm whether the vessel was the “IRIS Dena,” which reportedly sank off Sri Lanka.
An Iranian warship in international waters was struck by a U.S. Military torpedo, Defense Minister Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday. Speaking at a press conference, Hegseth stated that the attack marked the first time a hostile vessel had been destroyed in this manner since World War II. He did not disclose the ship’s name, though it is believed to be the frigate “IRIS Dena,” which was reported to have sunk earlier near the coast of Sri Lanka.
An Iranian warship sank approximately 40 kilometers off the coast of Sri Lanka.
Initial reports regarding the number of casualties varied. According to current information from Sri Lanka, at least 80 crew members have died. The bodies were recovered following the ship’s sinking, Sri Lankan Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra told Ada Derana. Dozens of crew members remain missing.
The Sri Lankan government had previously reported approximately 180 people were aboard the Iranian vessel. Of those, 32 were rescued by a joint search and rescue operation involving the Sri Lankan Navy and Air Force off the country’s southwest coast. The ship was reportedly traveling in international waters.
Vessel Equipped with Heavy Armament
The “IRIS Dena” frigate is a domestically-built Iranian vessel. The U.S. Military had previously stated it has already destroyed 17 Iranian ships and aims to “sink the entire Navy” of Iran. The “Iris Dena” is armed with heavy guns, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes, and features a helicopter landing pad.
With information from Peter Hornung, ARD Studio New Delhi
