By SHEIKH SAALIQ and KRISHAN FRANCIS
GALLE, Sri Lanka (AP) — An Iranian warship that was sunk by a U.S. submarine close to Sri Lanka had participated in naval workouts hosted by India earlier than heading out into worldwide waters within the Indian Ocean on its manner residence, New Delhi stated.
The sinking underscored the scope of the U.S.-Israeli battle with Iran and its unfold within the Center East and past. It additionally ignited a debate in India about maritime safety within the Indian Ocean — a area the place New Delhi maintains a major naval presence.
On Wednesday, Sri Lanka’s navy recovered 87 our bodies and rescued 32 Iranian sailors from the IRIS Dena, which sank in worldwide waters off the coast of the island nation — a uncommon occasion of a submarine torpedoing a ship since World Warfare II.
Sri Lanka’s navy stated it had responded to a misery sign from the IRIS Dena, however by the point it reached the situation, there was no signal of the ship, simply patches of oil and sailors floating within the water. The rescued mariners have been taken to a hospital within the city of Galle, on Sri Lanka’s southern coast.
U.S. Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the sinking illustrates the U.S.-Israeli army operation towards Iran is stretching past its borders and described the IRIS Dena as a “prize ship.” President Donald Trump has stated one of many key goals of the battle is to wipe out Iran’s navy.
A video launched by the U.S. Division of Protection on X confirmed the second of the torpedo assault. The Iranian ship seems to be hit by an underwater explosion that causes it to interrupt aside, as a big plume of water rises up within the air.
Iranian International Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. Navy of committing an “an atrocity at sea” in sinking the frigate and stated on social media on Thursday that the US “will come to bitterly remorse” the assault.
Araghchi stated the IRIS Dena had been carrying “nearly 130” crew.
India’s navy and protection ministry stated the Iranian warship had participated within the Worldwide Fleet Overview and the multilateral naval train MILAN 2026, organized by the Indian navy within the port of Visakhapatnam from Feb. 15 to Feb. 25. The ministry stated 74 international locations had joined the occasions.
The Iranian warship was seen crusing at sea through the workouts in a Feb. 17 submit on X by the Indian navy. One other picture confirmed a number of of its crew members posing on deck with the Iranian flag within the background.
Araghchi careworn that the frigate had been “a visitor” of India’s navy. The Indian authorities has not but publicly commented on the incident.
One other Iranian ship enters Sri Lanka’s territorial waters
Sri Lanka’s media minister and authorities spokesperson, Nalinda Jayatissa, advised parliament on Thursday that one other Iranian ship has entered Sri Lanka’s unique financial zone, an space past its fast territorial waters the place it has rights over pure sources.
Jayatissa didn’t present additional particulars concerning the ship or the variety of individuals on board. He stated the federal government was attempting to “decrease the lack of lives and safeguard regional peace” however didn’t elaborate.
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Iranian warship IRIS Dena is seen within the Bay of Bengal throughout Worldwide Fleet Overview held at Visakhapatnam, India, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Picture)
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Iranian warship IRIS Dena is seen within the Bay of Bengal throughout Worldwide Fleet Overview held at Visakhapatnam, India, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Picture)
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Questions in India over the sinking
India has lengthy seen the Indian Ocean as central to its safety, with its navy usually conducting patrols and multinational workouts to safeguard key sea lanes used for world commerce and vitality shipments. It has additionally historically sought to keep up a cautious diplomatic steadiness in tensions between the U.S. and Iran whereas emphasizing on diplomacy and talks.
Indian opposition leaders, nonetheless, on Thursday questioned the federal government’s lack of response to the incident, saying the sinking of the warship so near India’s maritime neighborhood warranted an official assertion.
The opposition Indian Nationwide Congress get together slammed what it known as “silence” from Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘s authorities.
“The battle has reached our yard, with an Iranian warship sunk within the Indian Ocean. But the Prime Minister has stated nothing,” opposition chief Rahul Gandhi wrote in a submit on X.
Kanwal Sibal, a former diplomat who served as India’s overseas secretary from 2002 to 2003, wrote on X that India was “removed from politically or militarily liable for the U.S. assault,” however its “accountability is at an ethical and human airplane.”
“The U.S. has ignored India’s sensitivities,” Sibal stated. “The ship was in these waters due to India’s invitation.”
Saaliq reported from New Delhi. Related Press journalist Bharatha Mallawarachi in Colombo, Sri Lanka, contributed to this report.
This story has been corrected to indicate that the Sri Lankan spokesperson stated the second Iranian vessel was within the maritime space of Sri Lanka’s unique financial zone, not in its territorial waters.