Iranian warship sunk off the coast of Sri Lanka

The Iranian warship IRIS Dena has been sunk in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Sri Lanka, in what represents a significant expansion of the US-Iran conflict beyond the Middle East.
The Moudge-class frigate, one of Iran’s most modern warships, was struck approximately 40 nautical miles south of Galle after issuing a distress call on Wednesday. Of the roughly 180 crew members on board, only 32 have been rescued and brought ashore, with at least 78 reported wounded. More than 100 sailors remain missing.
Sri Lanka deployed naval vessels and aircraft to assist in search and rescue operations. Thirty-two injured sailors were admitted to Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, with one reported in critical condition.
The IRIS Dena had been returning from the MILAN 2026 international naval exercises in India when it was targeted. Sources indicate a US Navy submarine carried out the strike, though no official confirmation has been issued by Washington.
The sinking marks the latest blow to Iran’s naval forces since the US and Israeli campaign began on February 28th, with the US already having destroyed an Iranian corvette in the Gulf of Oman days earlier. The conflict is now clearly extending into the Indian Ocean.