Iran FM warns US after an Iranian naval frigate was sunk near Sri Lanka, causing heavy casualties among sailors.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi strongly criticised the United States. He said the attack happened in international waters and warned Washington it would “bitterly regret” the precedent set.
The incident involved the Iranian navy frigate IRIS Dena, which sank off the southern coast of Sri Lanka near the city of Galle.
Dozens of sailors killed and missing
Sri Lankan authorities said the attack killed at least 87 sailors, while 61 others are still missing. Rescue teams are continuing search operations in the area.
Sri Lanka’s navy confirmed that 32 sailors were rescued, many of them injured. They were taken to hospitals in Galle for treatment.
Officials said the ship had nearly 130 crew members onboard when it was struck.
US confirms submarine torpedo attack
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that an American submarine fired a torpedo that sank the Iranian warship.
He told reporters in Washington that the attack marked the first time since World War II that the United States had sunk an enemy vessel using a torpedo.
Hegseth described the strike as a “quiet death” operation and said the United States was acting to win the ongoing conflict.
Ship sank before rescue teams arrived
Sri Lankan navy officials said the ship sent a distress call at dawn. However, by the time rescue vessels reached the location about an hour later, the frigate had already sunk.
Only an oil patch was visible on the sea surface when rescue teams arrived.
Sri Lankan navy divers later recovered dozens of bodies from the water near Galle.
Tensions rising in the Middle East
The sinking comes during growing regional tensions after joint US-Israel strikes on Iran, which have expanded the conflict across the Middle East.
Iranian officials say the attack on IRIS Dena happened while the ship was travelling far from Iran’s shores and posed no immediate threat.
Tehran has warned that the incident could have serious consequences for relations between the two countries.
