Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a blistering condemnation of the United States on Thursday, following the sinking of the Iranian Navy warship IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean. Araghchi characterized the torpedo strike as a “serious atrocity at sea,” warning that Washington would face severe consequences for the unprecedented maritime assault.
Abbas Araghchi Denounces Strike on ‘Guest of India’
In a statement released on the social media platform X, Abbas Araghchi alleged that the US operation was conducted in international waters, approximately 2,000 miles from the Iranian coast. He emphasized that the frigate was transitioning home after participating in the Milan 2026 naval exercises as a guest of the Indian Navy.
The Iranian Foreign Minister asserted that the attack was carried out without any prior warning, targeting a vessel carrying approximately 130 sailors. Araghchi stated that by targeting a ship on a diplomatic mission, the United States has set a “dangerous precedent” that it will deeply regret.
The U.S. has perpetrated an atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran’s shores.
Frigate Dena, a guest of India’s Navy carrying almost 130 sailors, was struck in international waters without warning.
Mark my words: The U.S. will come to bitterly regret precedent it has set. pic.twitter.com/cxYiI9BLUk
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 5, 2026
Pentagon Confirms First Torpedo Kill Since WWII
The US Department of Defense confirmed the strike on Wednesday, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth describing the operation as a “quiet death.” According to Pentagon officials, a US fast-attack submarine deployed a Mark 48 torpedo to sink the IRIS Dena, marking the first time an American submarine has destroyed an enemy vessel in combat since 1945.
“The United States has perpetrated an atrocity at sea… Mark my words: The U.S. will come to bitterly regret the precedent it has set.” — Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister.
Sri Lankan authorities reported that the vessel issued a distress call at 5:08 a.m. local time on March 4. While 32 sailors were rescued and taken to Karapitiya Hospital in Galle, at least 87 bodies have been recovered, and over 60 crew members remain missing.
Regional Conflict Spreads to the Indian Ocean
The sinking of the IRIS Dena signifies a major expansion of the ongoing US-Iran war, moving the front lines from the Persian Gulf to the broader Indo-Pacific region. Military analysts suggest the strike was intended to neutralize Iran’s “out-of-area” naval capabilities.
Key impacts of the escalation include:
- Maritime Security: Heightened alerts for commercial shipping near Sri Lanka and India.
- Diplomatic Tension: Growing pressure on New Delhi to respond to a strike on a vessel that was recently its official guest.
- Retaliatory Threats: IRGC commanders have vowed to continue missile strikes on US assets across the Middle East in response.
You May Like To Read: Pentagon Identifies Remaining US Soldiers Killed in Kuwait Drone Strike
Next Steps: Search and Rescue Continues
The Sri Lankan Navy and Air Force are continuing search and rescue operations for the missing sailors. Meanwhile, an emergency session of the UN Security Council is expected to be called by Tehran to address the legality of the strike in international waters
Check out our latest video:
