Submarine sinks Iranian ship off Lanka coast; several bodies recovered
What's the story
At least 101 people are missing and 78 injured after a submarine attack on an Iranian ship off Sri Lanka's coast, sources in Sri Lanka's navy and defense ministry told Reuters. Reuters also reported that several bodies have been recovered. According to Al Jazeera, around 30 sailors have been rescued from the frigate and are receiving treatment at Karapitiya Hospital in Galle.
Rescue efforts
Rescue operations underway
The 180-crew frigate had issued a distress call on Wednesday morning. Sri Lanka's navy and air force deployed two ships and aircraft to assist in the ongoing rescue operation. The IRIS Dena is a Moudge-class guided-missile frigate of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, commissioned into service in 2021. Sri Lankan navy and air force spokespeople said no aircraft or ships were seen in the region during the distress call.
Government
'We responded to the distress call'
The government, however, has not specified if the vessel was bombed as part of the ongoing US-Israeli attacks on Iran. Buddhika Sampath, a Navy spokesman, said the operation was in accordance with Sri Lanka's maritime obligations. "We responded to the distress call under our international obligations, as this is within our search and rescue area in the Indian Ocean," Sampath told AFP.
Official
US involvement not ruled out
Officials have not confirmed the cause of the incident. But two top Sri Lankan government officials said early evidence from the scene indicates the warship was hit by a submarine-launched weapon. An official stated that the government could neither confirm nor deny the involvement of a United States submarine operating in the region. "The US Navy Ohio-class submarines routinely patrol the Indian Ocean from the American military base on Diego Garcia..We are examining sightings and maritime tracking data," he said.
Conflict intensifies
Incident comes amid US-led strikes in Iran
The incident comes amid escalating tensions in the region due to US-led strikes on Iran over the weekend. The conflict has already disrupted shipping lanes and raised fears over energy supply, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint. Ebrahim Jabari, a senior adviser to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander-in-chief, said on Monday: "The strait is closed. If anyone tries to pass...the heroes of the Revolutionary Guard and the regular navy will set those ships ablaze."
Escalating conflict
Trump says navy may escort tankers through Strait of Hormuz
On Tuesday, United States President Donald Trump ordered the United States Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to provide political risk insurance and financial guarantees for maritime trade in the Gulf. "If necessary, the United States Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as soon as possible. No matter what, the United States will ensure the FREE FLOW of ENERGY to the WORLD," he said.