U.S. Navy Sinks Iranian Warship in First Submarine Torpedo Kill Since WWII
A U.S. submarine torpedoed and sank an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka this week, killing dozens of sailors and expanding the geographic scope of the U.S.–Iran conflict.
The strike is drawing intense scrutiny because the vessel had just participated in a multinational naval exercise hosted by India before it was destroyed.
According to Reuters and the Associated Press, the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was hit by a U.S. submarine using a Mark 48 torpedo on March 4 while sailing in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s navy launched search and rescue operations after receiving a distress signal, recovering 87 bodies and rescuing 32 sailors, officials said.
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The Pentagon confirmed the strike and described it as a major naval action as fighting between the United States, Israel, and Iran escalates across the region.
Iranian officials condemned the attack and warned the United States would face consequences, while debate erupted in India about the political fallout after the ship had attended its international MILAN naval exercise shortly before the sinking.
The incident marks the first time since World War II that a U.S. submarine has sunk an enemy surface ship with a torpedo, according to defense officials.
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