The Sri Lankan Navy is providing assistance to the surviving sailors from the Iranian warship Abhinand New Delhi: Emerging reports suggest t...
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| The Sri Lankan Navy is providing assistance to the surviving sailors from the Iranian warship |
Abhinand
New Delhi: Emerging reports suggest that a sailor aboard the Iranian warship IRIS Dena—destroyed by a US submarine off the Sri Lankan coast—contacted his father moments before the attack, revealing that the US military had issued prior warnings.
According to the sailor's account, the US military issued two separate warnings to abandon the vessel. However, the ship's commander reportedly refused to allow an evacuation. This decision allegedly triggered a heated dispute between the crew and the commander shortly before the disaster. It is believed the attack was executed only after these warnings were ignored.
(These reports have not been officially confirmed. It remains unclear whether this information is an authentic leak or a narrative crafted to mitigate international backlash.)
The IRIS Dena was destroyed in the early hours of March 4 in international waters, approximately 19 nautical miles off the coast of Galle, Sri Lanka. The strike was carried out by the USS Charlotte, a Los Angeles-class submarine. Two Mark 48 torpedoes were launched; at least one scored a direct hit.
Out of approximately 180 sailors on board, 87 are confirmed dead. 32 sailors managed to escape via lifeboats and were subsequently rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy.
The warship was en route to Iran after participating in the 'MILAN 2026' international naval exercise in Visakhapatnam.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted that this marks the first time since World War II that the United States has used a torpedo to sink an enemy vessel.
In contrast, Tehran maintains that the ship was attacked without provocation or warning, labeling the incident a flagrant violation of international law. Reports suggest Iran has already retaliated by attacking a US oil tanker in the Persian Gulf.
The survivors are currently being treated at the Galle National Hospital in Sri Lanka. One sailor remains in critical condition, seven require emergency surgery, and others are being treated for burns and minor injuries.
The United States has requested that Sri Lanka refrain from repatriating the sailors to Iran. However, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath stated that the survivors would be granted protection in accordance with international maritime and humanitarian laws.
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