US Submarine Sinks Iranian Warship in Indian Ocean, First Torpedo Kill Since WWII

In a significant naval engagement, a United States submarine has sunk an Iranian military vessel in the Indian Ocean near the coast of Sri Lanka. The incident marks the first time an American submarine has destroyed an enemy ship with a torpedo since World War II, according to a statement from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

"An American submarine sank an Iranian warship that considered itself safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo," Hegseth stated during a special briefing on US defense matters.

The US Department of Defense released footage on its official social media account showing the moment the Iranian ship was struck by the torpedo from the American submarine.

This is the first sinking of an enemy ship by torpedo since World War II.

Separately, Hegseth confirmed that US forces also struck Iran's primary combat vessel in the Persian Gulf. The targeted ship was identified as the IRIS Soleimani, named after former Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, who was killed by US forces during Donald Trump's first presidential term. Reports indicate the burning vessel was seen near the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas following the strikes.

The attack off Sri Lanka targeted the Iranian warship IRIS Dena. Initial reports suggested 32 sailors were rescued, but subsequent statements from Sri Lankan officials paint a grimmer picture. A spokesperson for Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry stated in a local television broadcast that at least 80 people were killed as a result of the American strike on the Iranian military vessel in the Indian Ocean.