Breaking: US Submarine Sinks Iranian Frigate IRIS Dena Off Sri Lanka; 101 Missing
Operation Epic Fury expands to the Indian Ocean as the Iranian Moudge-class frigate IRIS Dena is targeted off Sri Lanka. 101 missing, 78 injured in a major escalation of U.S.-Iran hostilities.
The Iranian Navy's Moudge-class frigate IRIS Dena is sinking in the Indian Ocean just outside Sri Lanka's territorial waters following what sources describe as a submarine attack or U.S. Navy strike.
The incident occurred off the island's southern coast near Galle, amid escalating U.S.-led military operations against Iranian naval assets in the broader region.
According to Sri Lanka's Navy and Defense Ministry, at least 101 people remain missing, while 78 others have been reported injured.
The vessel carried approximately 180 crew members.
Sri Lankan authorities have launched a search and rescue operation, deploying two naval vessels and an aircraft, successfully evacuating 30 survivors so far.
The injured have been transported to a hospital in Galle, approximately 115 km south of Colombo, which has been placed on high alert.
The attack is part of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli campaign under Operation Epic Fury, which has targeted Iranian warships, submarines, and bases in the Persian Gulf and beyond.
U.S. Central Command has reported destroying multiple Iranian naval vessels, including frigates and submarines, though no specific claim has been made for this incident.
Sri Lankan officials have not identified the attacker, but the event marks a significant expansion of hostilities into the Indian Ocean.
Search and rescue efforts continue as part of Sri Lanka's maritime obligations, with international attention focused on the humanitarian aspects amid the wider conflict.
Updates will follow as more details emerge.