Iran Threatens US After Frigate Dena Sunk in Indian Ocean
Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi sharply condemned the United States after an American submarine torpedoed and sank the Iranian naval frigate IRIS Dena in international waters of the Indian Ocean, calling the strike an “atrocity at sea” and warning Washington that it would “bitterly regret” setting such a dangerous precedent.
The incident occurred off the southern coast of Sri Lanka as the Iranian warship was sailing back from naval engagements in India. According to Iranian officials, the vessel had roughly 130 sailors on board and had been operating far from Iranian territorial waters when it was struck without warning.
Araghchi accused the United States of launching an unprovoked attack on a ship that was not engaged in combat operations. He argued that targeting a naval vessel in international waters, particularly one returning from a diplomatic and military engagement, represented a grave violation of international norms governing maritime conduct.
The sinking marks a dramatic escalation in tensions and is being described by analysts as the first time since World War II that the United States has sunk an enemy warship using a torpedo. The strike has raised concerns about the expanding scope of the ongoing conflict and the possibility of wider naval confrontations across strategic sea lanes in the Indian Ocean region.
Before the attack, the IRIS Dena had taken part in the MILAN International Fleet Review held in the Bay of Bengal from February 18 to 25. The multinational naval exercise, hosted by the Indian Navy, brought together ships from several countries for maritime cooperation and goodwill engagements.
After the event, the frigate departed from Visakhapatnam and was en route westward when it was targeted. The attack has sparked international concern about the security of naval vessels operating in international waters and the potential ramifications for global maritime stability.
