US submarine torpedoes Iranian warship IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka as dramatic rescue operation pulls survivors and bodies from the sea

Rescue teams faced a tense and emotional mission in waters near Sri Lanka after an Iranian naval vessel was destroyed in a dramatic strike linked to the growing conflict between Iran and the United States.

Images released by Sri Lankan authorities capture the harrowing moment sailors were pulled from the sea following the sinking of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena.

The rescue operation unfolded just one day before another Iranian vessel encountered serious trouble in the same region, forcing authorities to launch yet another emergency response.

Torpedo Strike Sends IRIS Dena to the Ocean Floor

The Iranian destroyer IRIS Dena was reportedly struck by a torpedo fired from a U.S. submarine, triggering a massive explosion beneath the ship’s stern.

Video footage circulating afterward shows the violent blast before the vessel gradually disappeared beneath the waves.

The attack is notable because submarine strikes sinking surface warships have been extremely rare since World War II.

Before the attack, the Dena had taken part in multinational naval exercises organized by India.

According to India’s defence ministry, the drills involved at least 74 nations, including the U.S. Navy, which conducted reconnaissance and maritime patrol operations during the exercises.

Iranian officials said the ship carried around 130 personnel, although warships of its class normally operate with about 140 sailors.

Sri Lankan Navy Leads Urgent Rescue Effort

The crisis triggered an immediate international response.

The Indian Navy deployed aircraft and a training vessel after receiving a distress call from the stricken ship.

However, by the time Indian units arrived in the area, the Sri Lanka Navy had already launched its own search-and-rescue mission.

Sri Lankan forces managed to save 32 surviving sailors, while 87 bodies were recovered from the sea.

Photos from the operation show injured crew members being transported for urgent medical treatment after the devastating attack.

Another Iranian Ship Sparks Emergency One Day Later

The situation became even more unusual when another Iranian naval vessel experienced trouble just 24 hours later.

The logistics ship IRIS Bushehr reported a major engine failure while positioned outside Sri Lankan waters.

More than 200 sailors were aboard when the vessel requested assistance.

Sri Lankan authorities stepped in again, bringing the sailors to the port of Colombo before transferring the ship toward an eastern harbor.

Naval spokesman Cmdr. Buddhika Sampath confirmed the crew would undergo medical examinations and immigration checks before being taken to a naval base in Welisara, located north of Colombo.

The Bushehr has previously been described by Iranian media as a naval logistics ship equipped with a helicopter landing pad.

Political Leaders React to the Escalating Crisis

Sri Lanka’s president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, acknowledged the delicate situation facing the island nation as it navigates requests from foreign military vessels during a major international conflict.

He stressed that Sri Lanka must act in accordance with international maritime treaties when granting port access.

Sri Lanka’s foreign minister, Vijitha Herath, also spoke with Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, expressing concern about the rapid escalation of hostilities.

Sri Lanka maintains significant economic ties with Iran, including major crude oil purchases worth around $250 million, even as the country tries to remain neutral in the conflict.

Analysts Warn the War Is Expanding Globally

Military experts say the sinking of the Dena represents a major turning point.

Former head of the Royal Navy, Alan West, warned that the attack signals how the war is expanding beyond its original regional boundaries.

According to him, striking a warship far from the main battlefield could encourage retaliatory attacks against U.S. interests worldwide.

Iran Expands Military Response Across the Gulf

Iran has already begun responding militarily across the Gulf region.

Overnight missile and drone strikes targeted countries hosting American forces, including:

• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Kuwait
• Bahrain

Qatar reported intercepting a drone targeting the Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts the forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command.

Saudi Arabia said its air defenses destroyed three ballistic missiles aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base near Riyadh.

Meanwhile, air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain after Iranian strikes reportedly hit hotels and a residential building, though no casualties were reported.

U.S. Signals It Will Intensify the Conflict

Speaking during a press conference in Tampa, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth warned that American military action is only beginning.

He said the scale of strikes against Iranian targets will “increase dramatically,” stressing that U.S. forces have the resources and determination to continue the campaign.

Another Iranian Vessel Destroyed

The United States Central Command also confirmed a separate operation targeting the Iranian drone carrier IRIS Shahid Bagheri.

Footage released by the military showed the ship burning after being struck.

The vessel was originally a converted container ship equipped with a 180-meter runway designed to launch drones and was capable of traveling long distances without refueling.

Rising Death Toll Across the Region

The widening conflict is already exacting a heavy human cost.

Officials report that the fighting has killed:

• More than 1,230 people in Iran
• Over 120 people in Lebanon
• Around a dozen people in Israel
• Six U.S. troops

Impact and Consequences

The sinking of the IRIS Dena and the subsequent naval emergencies near Sri Lanka illustrate how quickly the Middle East conflict is spilling into international waters.

Countries far from the core battleground — including Sri Lanka — are now being drawn into complex rescue operations and diplomatic challenges.

The attacks also highlight the growing role of naval warfare and drone technology in the escalating confrontation between Iran and the United States.

What’s Next?

Military analysts expect further escalation across the Gulf and surrounding regions as Iran continues retaliatory strikes and the United States intensifies its military operations.

Naval activity in international waters could increase significantly, raising the risk of additional maritime incidents.

Diplomatic pressure is also likely to mount on neutral countries like Sri Lanka as they handle emergency requests from vessels involved in the conflict.

Summary

The destruction of an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka has triggered dramatic rescue operations and intensified concerns about the expanding conflict between Iran and the United States.

While dozens of sailors were saved from the sea, the incident highlights how naval battles and retaliatory strikes are pushing the war beyond the Middle East into global waters.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Sri Lankan forces rescued 32 survivors and recovered 87 bodies after the Iranian warship IRIS Dena sank.
• The vessel was reportedly destroyed by a torpedo fired from a U.S. submarine.
• Another Iranian ship, IRIS Bushehr, required rescue assistance one day later after suffering an engine failure.
• Iran launched missile and drone strikes across Gulf countries hosting U.S. forces.
• The United States confirmed additional attacks on Iranian naval assets, including a drone carrier.
• Analysts warn the conflict is expanding globally, with more countries becoming indirectly involved.