The Iranian Navy frigate ‘IRIS Dena’, carrying 180 sailors, has sunk near the southern coast of Sri Lanka after being struck by the United States Navy.
According to reports, 32 crew members were severely injured, rescued, and brought ashore for treatment, while 148 others were missing.
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said that Sri Lankan Navy vessels were deployed after the Iranian ship sent a distress call about 40 nautical miles off Galle.
“Though it was beyond our waters, it is within our search and rescue region. We are the first responders as per our international obligations,” he said.
The Iranian warship reportedly sank outside Sri Lankan waters, but the country is actively involved in rescue operations.
The IRIS Dena frigate was armed with heavy guns, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes, and could carry a helicopter.
Speaking in an address on Wednesday, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed that US forces torpedoed the Iranian ship as part of the operation against Iran.
Sri Lanka Rescues Sailors of Iranian Navy frigate ‘IRIS Dena’
Sri Lanka Navy spokesman Buddhika Sampath stated that several bodies suspected to be of the personnel of the Iranian vessel had been recovered.
“We found people floating in the water and rescued them. Later, upon inquiry, we found that they belonged to the Iranian ship. We swiftly transferred them to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment,” said Buddhika.
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He also added that the dead body had been recovered following their search and rescue operations.
However, Buddhika Sampath argued that the current number of victims cannot be determined because search-and-rescue operations are the priority.
He highlighted that when the Navy initially responded to the location of the distress call, a vessel could not be found, and only traces of oil spills were visible.
US Destroys 17 Iranian Ships Amid the Ongoing Regional War
The US military claims it has destroyed 17 Iranian ships in its campaign against Iran, which involves tens of thousands of US service members.
According to Brad Cooper, the commander of US forces in the Middle East, the attacks aim to destroy all ships in Iran.
“We are also sinking the Iranian navy, the entire navy. Thus far, we’ve destroyed 17 Iranian ships, including the most operational Iranian submarine that now has a hole in its side. In simple terms, we’re focused on shooting all the things that can shoot at us,” said Brad Cooper.
Also Read: Trump Says U.S. Could Use Bases in Foreign Nation “Without Approval” Amid Iran War
Cooper’s comments came a few days into the US military operation against Iran, called Operation Epic Fury, as the Defense Department officials highlight that destroying Iran’s navy is a primary target for the operation.
Additionally, Cooper stated that there are more than 50,000 US troops and more than 200 fighter aircraft involved in the mission, and that strikes are ongoing against Iran.
“Now, we’re less than 100 hours into this operation, and we’ve already struck nearly 2,000 targets with more than 2,000 munitions,” he said.
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