Tehran, Iran – The Iranian military announced on Sunday that at least 104 people were killed and 32 others injured in a US attack on an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka last week, an incident that represents a new escalation in tensions between the two countries.
Sinking of the Frigate Dena
The Iranian military said that a US submarine sank the Iranian frigate Dena in the Indian Ocean last Wednesday, about 19 nautical miles off the southern Sri Lankan port city of Galle.
It added that the attack killed dozens of sailors on board the ship, noting that the sinking occurred while the frigate was operating in international waters.
The United States did not immediately issue an official comment on the incident, while Tehran considered the attack a dangerous escalation in the naval confrontation between the two sides.
Escalation in the naval confrontation
According to the Iranian statement, the targeting of the frigate comes within the framework of what Tehran described as the expansion of US pursuit operations against the Iranian navy beyond the traditional areas of tension in the Persian Gulf.
The Iranian military indicated that the incident reflects the escalation of the confrontation between the two countries into more distant maritime theaters, including the Indian Ocean, which could further heighten regional tensions.
It also confirmed that the Iranian navy is monitoring developments and considering appropriate responses to the attack.
Potential regional repercussions
Observers believe that targeting an Iranian warship in that region could open the door to broader security repercussions in vital maritime shipping lanes, particularly in the Indian Ocean, a crucial artery for global trade.
This incident comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran in recent times, with both sides exchanging accusations and threats regarding Iran’s military activities and nuclear program.
The incident is expected to provoke international reactions and raise concerns about a potential expansion of the confrontation between the two sides into new maritime areas.
