Indian Navy Launched Rescue After Distress Call From Iranian Warship IRIS Dena
The Indian Navy said it immediately launched search and rescue operations after receiving a distress call from the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena, which was struck by a torpedo fired from a United States submarine near the coast of Sri Lanka.
According to Indian naval officials, the emergency signal was received shortly after the Iranian warship reported severe damage while sailing in the Indian Ocean.
The vessel was later confirmed to have sunk in international waters off the Sri Lankan coast following the attack. The strike reportedly killed a large number of sailors and left several others missing.
The incident occurred as the ship was returning from an international naval engagement in India, where it had participated in maritime activities with other visiting navies.
The distress message triggered immediate rescue coordination in the region as nearby naval and civilian vessels were alerted to assist.
Officials said the Indian Navy responded quickly due to the seriousness of the emergency signal and the proximity of the vessel to major sea routes in the northern Indian Ocean. Rescue and search efforts were initiated to help survivors and locate those missing after the attack.
The sinking of the IRIS Dena has intensified tensions in the region as the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran continues to expand beyond the Middle East.
Earlier reports from Sri Lanka said the warship was carrying nearly 130 sailors when it was hit by the torpedo in international waters. Dozens were killed and several others were rescued and taken to hospitals in the southern city of Galle, where they are being treated under heavy security.
The attack has drawn international attention because the vessel had recently taken part in naval drills hosted by India, highlighting the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean region for several global powers.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan naval units and other regional authorities have continued searching the surrounding waters for missing sailors.
The incident has also raised concerns about the growing risk of military confrontation spilling into key international shipping routes in the Indian Ocean.
Iranian officials have condemned the attack and warned that the United States could face consequences for what they described as an unprecedented strike on a naval vessel far from Iranian territory.
The episode marks one of the most serious naval incidents in the Indian Ocean in recent years and underscores the widening impact of the ongoing conflict across the region’s maritime space.
