2 hours ago
Last Updated:March 06, 2026, 11:40 IST
US officials have said that the submarine USS Charlotte fired the torpedo that sank Iran’s warship IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean after two MK-48 torpedoes were launched.
A file photo of Iran's military ship IRIS Dena (Photo: AP)
The torpedo that struck and sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean earlier this week was fired by the US Navy attack submarine USS Charlotte, multiple US officials told CBS News.
According to the report, the Los Angeles-class attack submarine fired two MK-48 torpedoes at the Iranian warship IRIS Dena.
The report quoted officials as saying that the first torpedo missed the target, while the second torpedo struck the vessel, sinking it.
The incident marks a significant escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States amid the ongoing conflict in the region.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had earlier confirmed the strike on Wednesday while speaking to reporters, saying that the Iranian warship had believed it was safe while sailing in international waters.
“The Iranian warship thought it was safe in international waters," Hegseth said while announcing the attack, according to the CBS News report.
WARSHIP SANK OFF SRI LANKA AFTER SUBMARINE ATTACK
The Iranian warship sank in international waters off the coast of Sri Lanka after being struck by a US submarine attack early Wednesday.
The vessel, IRIS Dena, had been returning to Iran after participating in the Milan multilateral naval exercise hosted by India.
Sri Lankan authorities said that at least 87 Iranian sailors were killed in the attack.
The targeting of the vessel drew sharp condemnation from Iranian officials, who said the ship was not carrying weapons at the time it was struck.
IRAN CALLS ATTACK ‘AGAINST INTERNATIONAL LAW’
Ayatollah Dr Abdul Majeed Hakeemelahi, the representative of Iran’s supreme leader in India, described the US strike on the warship as a violation of international law.
“The targeting of the Iranian ship is against international law, as they did not possess any type of weapons," Hakeemelahi told news agency PTI in an interview.
He said the Iranian sailors had travelled to India for the naval exercise and were returning home when the attack took place.
“They came here for some exercise. They wanted to go back to Iran (after the end of the exercise), and they were attacked by the US," he said.
“This is against humanity, against morality, and against justice," he added.
IRAN DEFENDS ACTIONS IN WIDER CONFLICT
Speaking about the broader conflict with the United States and Israel, Hakeemelahi said Iran was defending itself.
“We were negotiating with the United States of America. In Oman, we negotiated in good faith, and we were at the table. We didn’t leave the table. But during the negotiation, they attacked us," he said.
He acknowledged that several Iranian commanders had been killed in recent joint US-Israeli airstrikes, adding that civilians, including children, had also died in attacks.
“They attacked one primary school, killing seven to 12-year-old students. At least 173 students were killed," he said.
Hakeemelahi also alleged that Gandhi Hospital in Iran had been targeted and that civilians were being killed in cities including Tehran and Isfahan.
“They are attacking our civilians, but the Iranian people will never accept humiliation, and they will fight till the last drop of blood," he said.
IRAN SAYS ATTACKS TARGET US BASES IN REGION
Responding to questions about Iranian strikes on targets inside Gulf countries, the Iranian cleric said Tehran had informed neighbouring countries that its attacks were aimed at US military bases, not the host nations themselves.
“We have informed our neighbours that we are not attacking their countries, but we are attacking the US bases," he said.
“We have a very good relationship with our neighbours. The foreigner in this region is the United States. They are from far away."
He added that Iran hoped regional countries would understand the situation.
Meanwhile, Hakeemelahi also said that India and Iran share a long-standing relationship of around 3,000 years and expressed hope that cooperation on projects such as the Chabahar port would continue after the conflict.
“We hope that after these conditions and this war, we can work together. Both countries will benefit from it," he said.
First Published:
March 06, 2026, 11:35 IST
News world US Navy Submarine USS Charlotte Fired Torpedo That Sank Iran's IRIS Dena: Report
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