A Iranian navy ship has sunk in waters off southern Sri Lanka after being hit by a US submarine, leaving more than 100 people unaccounted for and dozens hospitalised.
The vessel, IRIS Dena, was carrying 180 crew members when it was struck roughly 40 nautical miles from the port city of Galle on Wednesday morning. Rescue teams pulled 32 people alive from the sea. One survivor is fighting for their life, seven others are in serious condition, and the remaining rescued crew members have non-life-threatening injuries.
Sri Lanka scrambled warships and military aircraft to the scene after receiving a distress signal. The country’s foreign minister briefed parliament on the unfolding situation as the search operation continued. The frigate had been on its way back home after taking part in a naval event held last month in India.
Washington confirmed its submarine carried out the strike, framing it as part of a broader campaign to dismantle Iran’s naval power entirely.
Khamenei Dead, Iran in Crisis
The ship attack is one front in a rapidly escalating conflict. On February 28, US and Israeli forces launched coordinated air strikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with dozens of the country’s top military and political figures. His wife died from her injuries days later.
The death toll across Iran from the strikes has crossed 1,000, with some of the heaviest casualties reported at civilian sites. Iran has since hit back hard, launching attacks on targets across nine countries and killing several US troops in the process.
With its leadership decimated, Iran set up a temporary three-person governing council to keep the state functioning. Khamenei’s son Mojtaba, who survived the strikes, is being considered by some within the establishment as a future leader.
World Reacts, Oil Prices Spike
The United Nations called emergency talks, with the Secretary General criticising all sides. Russia and China condemned the initial strikes as a breach of international law.
Markets reacted sharply, with global oil prices jumping more than 15% as supplies through the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, came under threat.
Tensions Show No Sign of Easing
Despite back-channel reports of possible talks between Washington and Tehran, there is little sign the fighting will stop soon. Iran’s judiciary has already warned its own citizens that anyone seen supporting the US-Israeli campaign could face the death penalty. On the streets of several Iranian cities, protests have broken out, some against the government, others against the foreign strikes.
Authorities have responded with arrests. The coming days are being watched closely by governments across the region, many of whom fear the conflict could spill further beyond Iran’s borders and drag in more countries whether they want it or not.
