CENTCOM confirmed that a U.S. submarine successfully destroyed the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean, roughly 25 miles south of Galle, Sri Lanka. The vessel, a Mowj-class frigate with approximately 180 crew members, was returning from India’s MILAN 2026 naval exercise when it was torpedoed. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the sinking, describing the attack as a “quiet death” that underscores the reach and precision of American naval power.

Sri Lanka’s navy conducted rescue operations, recovering 32 injured sailors and 87 bodies, with around 150 crew members still missing as searches continue. The strike represents the first U.S. submarine sinking of an enemy warship since World War II, marking a significant escalation in U.S.-Iran naval tensions amid the broader Middle East conflict.

Footage released by CENTCOM shows the submarine’s torpedo launch and the destruction of the frigate, providing visual confirmation of the vessel’s sinking. The operation, conducted as part of Operation Epic Fury alongside Israeli military actions, demonstrates U.S. capability to project power far beyond the Persian Gulf, extending the strategic theater into the Indian Ocean. Analysts note that this action signals a new phase in maritime operations against Iranian naval forces, emphasizing precision targeting and strategic deterrence in a rapidly evolving conflict environment.