US Submarine Torpedoes Iranian Warship in Indian Ocean: Regional Tensions Rise

Sri Lankan MP Harsha de Silva expressed shock as a US submarine sunk the Iranian warship IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka’s coast after a distress call. The incident left 87 crew dead and sparked concerns over regional maritime sovereignty. Another Iranian vessel docked in Colombo for humanitarian reasons.

Sri Lankan Member of Parliament Harsha de Silva voiced his astonishment in response to the United States Navy's action of torpedoing the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean. This unexpected incident unfolded following a distress call, prompting rescue efforts by Sri Lanka's navy and air force that saved 32 lives but confirmed 87 fatalities.

On the morning of March 4, 2026, the IRIS Dena, part of the Iranian naval fleet, was sunk by a US submarine 40 nautical miles off Galle, with substantial loss of life. Previously, the vessel had participated in India's International Fleet Review and the MILAN 2026 naval exercises in Visakhapatnam.

Sri Lankan forces responded promptly, while a second Iranian ship, the IRIS Bushehr, was granted docking due to humanitarian needs. MP de Silva highlighted the incident's implications on regional security, stressing the necessity of maintaining a rules-based maritime order.