Netizens after US downs Iran’s IRIS Dena 2 weeks after India hosted them: 'Shameful'

Sri Lankan authorities confirmed that the IRIS Dena issued a distress call early in the morning, after which its wreckage, bodies, and survivors were recovered in waters south of Galle. (File photo)

The sinking of Iran’s Moudge‑class frigate IRIS Dena by a US submarine off Sri Lanka has triggered sharp reactions online, with many users questioning how a warship that had participated in Indian naval engagements just weeks earlier was attacked so close to India’s maritime sphere.The Iranian vessel was torpedoed by an American submarine off Sri Lanka’s southern coast, killing at least 87 personnel, with 32 rescued and dozens more still missing.

The incident marks a major escalation in the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth calling it a “quiet death” delivered by a torpedo in international waters.

The warship had just participated in Indian naval exercises

The IRIS Dena had been in India barely two weeks earlier. The vessel participated in the International Fleet Review 2026 and the multilateral naval exercise MILAN 2026 in Visakhapatnam before beginning its return journey, where it was eventually struck.

The Eastern Naval Command had formally welcomed the frigate during its port call, and President Droupadi Murmu reviewed the ship during the fleet review.

A Feb 17 tweet by India’s Eastern Naval Command.

2 weeks later, IRIS Dena lies on the sea bed. On our watch, in our oceanic backyard. A 100 sailors who marched in Visakhapatnam on Feb 19, now at the bottom of the sea. On our watch, in our oceanic backyard. pic.twitter.com/Ag3uyu3zVQ — Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) March 4, 2026

‘In our oceanic backyard’: Public anger over security implications

Social‑media reactions reflected widespread alarm at the geopolitical and strategic implications of the attack occurring so close to India.

Several users wrote that India should condemn in no uncertain terms the sinking of a vessel that had just participated in Indian‑hosted naval exercises.

Socio‑political activist Chandra Kumar Bose reacted sharply. “An American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Shameful!" he said.

Another user questioned the strategic fallout. “If the US Navy can torpedo an Iranian frigate (IRIS Dena) in India’s backyard immediately after a joint exercise, who is actually in charge of the Indian Ocean?" Varnish Sharma (@sharma_vanni12) commented. "Has India’s civilizational friendship with Iran become a sacrificial lamb for Washington’s interests? At what point does a partner become a regional supervisor?”

Guest safety is a host's honor! The sinking of the Iranian ship IRIS Dena during the #MILAN2026 exercise is not just a military loss; it’s a direct hit to India’s international standing. When a guest invited by us is attacked in our waters, our "Vishwaguru" status is put to… pic.twitter.com/yaG4XNdtWZ — Shambhu Patwa Dighwara wala (@djshmbhu30) March 4, 2026

Iran warns the US will ‘bitterly regret’ strike

The sinking has also drawn a stern response from Tehran. Iran’s foreign minister stated that the US would “bitterly regret” the torpedo strike, while emphasising that the Dena had been a “guest” of the Indian Navy shortly before the attack.

Sri Lankan authorities confirmed that the vessel issued a distress call early in the morning, after which its wreckage, bodies, and survivors were recovered in waters south of Galle.

Silence from New Delhi as debate intensifies

As of now, India has not issued an official response to the sinking, despite the warship’s close naval engagement with India shortly before the incident and the attack taking place in what many view as India’s strategic maritime neighbourhood.