US Indo-Pacific Command Defends Strike on Iranian Warship Near Sri Lankan Waters

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By: Isuru Parakrama

March 08, Colombo (LNW): The United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) has dismissed Iran’s claim that its naval vessel IRIS Dena was unarmed at the time it was destroyed in an attack near Sri Lankan waters, asserting that the ship constituted a legitimate military target under international rules governing armed conflict.

In a statement shared on the social media platform X, the command rejected Tehran’s account of events and described the claim that the frigate was operating without weapons as inaccurate. According to INDOPACOM, the action was carried out in accordance with the Law of Armed Conflict, which allows the use of force against recognised military assets during hostilities.

The command also acknowledged that Sri Lanka played a role in the aftermath of the incident by providing humanitarian assistance to survivors, noting that such efforts were consistent with international legal obligations to aid those in distress at sea.

Iran has strongly protested the strike, maintaining that the vessel was not engaged in combat operations at the time. Iranian officials insist the ship had been sailing home after participating in the MILAN multinational naval exercise organised by India and therefore should not have been targeted.

Speaking during a visit to India, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh criticised the attack and described it as a grave breach of international law. He said the frigate had been travelling back to Iran after completing its participation in the naval exercise.

Reports indicate that the vessel sank while navigating waters in the broader Indian Ocean region not far from Sri Lanka’s southern coast. The incident is believed to have resulted in significant casualties, with dozens of Iranian naval personnel feared dead.

Sri Lankan naval units responded to distress signals from the damaged ship and launched a rescue effort approximately 40 nautical miles off Galle. Several survivors were brought ashore, while 32 injured sailors were transferred to Karapitiya Teaching Hospital for medical treatment.

Initial reports suggest that roughly 180 crew members had been on board the Iranian frigate at the time of the attack. Authorities in Sri Lanka said search, rescue and medical support operations were carried out as part of emergency humanitarian assistance following the sinking.