By: Isuru Parakrama
March 05, Colombo (LNW): Iran has sharply criticised the United States following a deadly strike on one of its naval vessels in international waters close to Sri Lanka, describing the incident as a grave act of aggression on the high seas.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, alleged that the Iranian Navy frigate IRIS Dena was targeted without prior warning while sailing far from Iranian territory. The vessel, carrying close to 130 sailors, had recently taken part in a naval event hosted by India before the attack occurred.
In a strongly worded statement, Araghchi accused Washington of committing what he called a “atrocity at sea” thousands of miles from Iran’s coastline. He noted that the warship had been operating as a visiting participant in the international naval gathering organised by the Indian Navy and warned that the United States would face consequences for what he described as a dangerous precedent.
According to reports, the incident unfolded in waters south of Sri Lanka, where the vessel encountered severe damage and sank after coming under attack. Sri Lankan authorities said the distressed ship was located well outside the island’s territorial waters, prompting an urgent humanitarian response.
The Sri Lanka Navy launched search and rescue operations shortly after receiving reports of survivors and bodies in the surrounding waters. So far, 32 Iranian sailors have been rescued and transported to shore, where they are receiving medical treatment at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle. Medical officials confirmed that several of the survivors were suffering from exhaustion and injuries sustained during the incident.
Recovery teams working in the area have also retrieved more than 80 bodies from the sea, while efforts continue to locate additional missing crew members believed to have been on board when the ship went down.
The frigate had reportedly been on its return voyage after participating in the 2026 International Fleet Review held in Visakhapatnam, a major maritime event that brought together naval vessels from several countries.
Meanwhile, the United States has acknowledged responsibility for the strike, stating that a U.S. submarine fired a torpedo at the Iranian vessel. Military analysts have noted that this marks the first confirmed instance of an American submarine carrying out such an attack since the end of the Second World War, raising concerns about escalating tensions in international waters.
The U.S. has perpetrated an atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran's shores.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 5, 2026
Frigate Dena, a guest of India's Navy carrying almost 130 sailors, was struck in international waters without warning.
Mark my words: The U.S. will come to bitterly regret precedent it has set. pic.twitter.com/cxYiI9BLUk
