87 feared dead as US submarine sinks Iranian warship

Colombo: An Iranian naval vessel was sunk off the coast of Sri Lanka on Wednesday, reportedly by a United States submarine's torpedo attack, triggering a large-scale rescue operation by Sri Lankan forces.

Sri Lankan authorities confirmed that 87 bodies had been recovered from the stricken warship, while search efforts continued for those still missing. A total of 32 crew members were rescued from the waters.

The vessel was identified as IRIS Dena, according to Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, who informed parliament about the incident.

Officials said the Sri Lankan Navy received a distress call from the Iranian ship and immediately launched a search and rescue operation, supported by the Sri Lankan Air Force. The operation is ongoing in the Indian Ocean off the island’s coast.

There was no immediate official confirmation from either Tehran or Washington regarding the reported attack.