Tehran has issued a stark warning to Washington following the dramatic sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean. Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned the US attack in the strongest terms, labeling it an act of ‘brutality at sea’ and predicting deep regret for the Americans.
The incident unfolded near Sri Lanka’s southern coast, where a US submarine unleashed torpedoes on the vessel without warning. Araghchi highlighted that the Dena had recently been in the vicinity of the Indian Navy and carried approximately 130 sailors at the time of the strike. ‘America committed cruelty 2,000 miles from our shores in international waters,’ he stated on X, emphasizing the ship’s status as a guest of the Indian Navy during a recent multinational exercise.
The IRIS Dena, a frigate-class warship, was returning from India’s Visakhapatnam after participating in the 2026 International Fleet Review from February 18 to 25. This event drew vessels from around 74 nations, though the US opted out at the last minute, withdrawing its guided-missile destroyer USS Pinkney.
This marks the first time since World War II that the US has used submarine-fired torpedoes to sink an enemy ship, escalating tensions in a strategically vital region. Rescue operations swiftly followed, with the Sri Lankan Navy reporting the recovery of about 30 crew members, now receiving treatment at Karapitiya Hospital in Galle.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later confirmed the strike, claiming it targeted an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean. As search efforts continue amid choppy waters, Araghchi’s ominous words hang heavy: the precedent set by this aggression will haunt Washington. The international community watches closely, bracing for potential ripples in global maritime security.