US submarine torpedo sinks Iranian warship near Sri Lanka, massive explosion captured on video | Watch

The vessel has been identified as IRIS Dena

• US submarine sinks Iranian warship IRIS Dena in Indian Ocean
• At least 80 killed, 150 missing; 32 rescued by Sri Lankan Navy
• Incident raises tensions and maritime security concerns in region

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The United States on Wednesday released dramatic video footage showing an Iranian naval vessel being struck by a torpedo and sinking in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Sri Lanka, in an incident that has sharply escalated tensions in the region.

The video, shared by the US Department of War, shows a torpedo hitting the ship, triggering a massive explosion before the vessel begins to sink beneath the waves.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed the strike, saying the attack was carried out by an American submarine operating in international waters.

https://t.co/PiqQpVIrMupic.twitter.com/Wc1e0B0um7

— Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) March 4, 2026

".In fact, yesterday in the Indian Ocean, and we'll play it on the screen there, 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...Yesterday, the leader of the unit who attempted to assassinate President Trump was hunted down and killed. Iran tried to kill President Trump and President Trump got the last laugh," Hegseth said.

The vessel has been identified as IRIS Dena, according to Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. He said 180 people were on board at the time of the strike.

At least 80 people were killed and nearly 150 were reported missing after the torpedo hit the ship. Sri Lanka said it launched a search-and-rescue operation after receiving a distress call. So far, 32 survivors have been rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy and are being treated at a hospital in the southern port city of Galle.

Sri Lankan Navy spokesman Commander Buddhika Sampath said rescue boats arriving at the site saw only an oil slick, indicating the ship had sunk completely. He added that the incident occurred outside Sri Lankan territorial waters but Colombo remained committed to assisting.

"We are hopeful we can rescue more people and will continue (operations) until we are sure," Sampath said.

The development has drawn particular attention in India as the website of the Milan multilateral naval exercise, hosted by India in the Bay of Bengal, had listed an Iranian ship named ‘IRINS Dena’ among participating vessels.

IRIS (Islamic Republic of Iran Ship) is the more commonly used prefix for Iranian naval vessels, while IRINS (Islamic Republic of Iran Naval Ship) is also sometimes used.

The website of the 'Milan' multilateral naval exercise hosted by India listed an Iranian ship named 'IRINS Dena' as having taken part in the drill, which was held in the Bay of Bengal off India's eastern coast.