Iran Issues Strong Warning to US After Warship Sinking Near Sri Lanka

Iran has strongly condemned the United States after one of its naval frigates was attacked in international waters near Sri Lanka, describing the incident as a serious act of aggression at sea.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Iranian warship IRIS Dena, carrying nearly 130 sailors, was struck without warning while travelling through international waters after taking part in a naval event organised by Indian Navy.

In a statement, Araghchi accused Washington of carrying out what he called an “atrocity at sea” far from Iran’s territory. He noted that the frigate had recently been hosted by the Indian Navy and warned that the United States would “bitterly regret the precedent it has created.”

Reports indicate that the vessel was hit off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Authorities in the country said a rescue mission began after the ship was found in distress roughly 40 nautical miles from the coastal city of Galle.

Personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy managed to pull 32 Iranian sailors from the water and bring them to shore. The rescued crew members were later admitted to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital for medical treatment.

Officials confirmed that more than 80 bodies have been recovered so far, while search operations are still underway as several sailors remain unaccounted for in waters south of the island.

The frigate had been returning after participating in the International Fleet Review 2026 held in Visakhapatnam, India.

According to U.S. officials, the vessel was struck by a torpedo launched from an American submarine — an incident that reportedly marks the first time since the World War II that a U.S. submarine has targeted a surface warship in such a manner.