In a recent update, Pete Hegseth confirmed that an American submarine torpedoed and sunk an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, declaring it the first sinking of an enemy ship by torpedo since World War II.
“In fact, yesterday in the Indian Ocean, an American submarine sank an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo — the first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War II,” Hegseth said.
He also added the operation to a separate targeted killing, adding that the unit which attempted to assassinate President Trump was hunted down and killed. Iran tried to kill President Trump, and President Trump retaliated.
What exactly happened?
More than 100 people were reported missing after the attack and at least 87 killed after the Iranian naval frigate IRIS Dena sent out a distress call off the coast of Sri Lanka. The Moudge-class frigate sank approximately 40 nautical miles off the port city of Galle, just outside Sri Lankan territorial waters, when Sri Lanka scrambled ships and aircraft to rescue the 180-strong crew.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed the rescue mission to Parliament, saying 30 injured were transported to a hospital in the island’s south. The main hospital in Galle, 115 km from the capital Colombo, was placed on high alert. Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara said the Navy and Air Force were conducting a joint rescue operation to extract the remaining crew.
Sri Lankan Navy spokesperson Buddhika Sampath said that the operation was in line with the country’s international obligations. The incident comes as Iran’s Revolutionary Guard declared full control over the Strait of Hormuz, warning that vessels attempting to transit the critical oil and gas shipping route risk missile strikes or damage from drones. Donald Trump has countered that the US Navy stands ready to escort any oil tankers through the Gulf route.
