Around 140 Missing as US Says Submarine Struck Iranian Naval Vessel
Pentagon Confirms Torpedo Attack
The United States has said that its submarine forces sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean using a torpedo strike, escalating tensions amid the ongoing regional conflict. U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the operation during a briefing at the Pentagon.
Hegseth did not disclose the name of the targeted vessel, but the statement followed earlier reports that the IRIS Dena had gone down near Sri Lanka after sending a distress signal.
Sri Lankan naval authorities said they rescued 32 people from the water, while around 140 others are believed to be missing, based on preliminary estimates.
Officials said the exact cause of the sinking has not been determined independently, and no neutral investigation has confirmed whether the vessel was attacked or suffered a mechanical failure.
US Military Strategy and Escalation Claims
The Pentagon briefing described the operation as part of a broader military campaign targeting Iranian defence infrastructure. Hegseth said the United States was working with its allies to weaken what he described as Iran’s military network.
He also claimed that Iranian authorities had previously attempted to target Donald Trump, adding that U.S. forces had killed an individual allegedly linked to the plot. No independent verification of the claim has been provided.
Continued Airstrikes and Regional Fighting
Military activity has continued across the Middle East, with Israeli forces reporting strikes on locations described as security installations in Tehran. Iranian authorities said several buildings were damaged in the attacks, though casualty numbers remain uncertain.
Reports also indicated that air defence systems in Turkey intercepted an Iranian missile that had travelled through neighbouring airspace, according to defence officials in Ankara.
International Naval and Military Deployments
The United Kingdom is preparing to send the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon to the eastern Mediterranean as part of defensive deployments following attacks on a British base in Cyprus.
British officials said the warship is expected to leave port in the coming days, while additional helicopters equipped with anti-drone missiles are being positioned in the region.
Growing Concern Over Regional Stability
The widening military confrontation has triggered evacuation planning by several countries as air and missile exchanges continue.
Diplomatic observers warn that the rapid expansion of fighting across land, air and maritime zones could further destabilise security across the Middle East and nearby international waters.
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