Iranian Frigate Sunk by U.S. Submarine in South of Sri Lanka, Over 80 Killed Xinhua News Agency reported on March 17, 2026, citing Iranian media outlets including Mehr News Agency, that Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, had written a handwritten tribute to the sailors who died when the Iranian frigate "Dehnav" was sunk by a U.S. submarine. The message stated that the bravery of the fallen crew would be remembered by Iranians and serve as a foundation for the country’s military development. The frigate "Dehnav" was attacked in the South China Sea near Sri Lanka on March 1, according to the report. The U.S. submarine launched a torpedo that sank the vessel, resulting in the deaths of over 80 personnel. Separately, Israeli media reported on March 17 that Israeli forces conducted an air strike on Larijani’s location on March 16. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz claimed Larijani had been killed in the attack. However, Iranian officials stated that information from Larijani would be released within minutes, though it remains unclear whether this communication was the handwritten tribute mentioned earlier.#iran #united_states #sri_lanka #iranian_frigate #dehnav
Iranian frigate sinking off Sri Lanka: foreign minister Sri Lanka deployed naval vessels and aircraft to assist 30 Iranian sailors aboard the frigate Iris Dena, which was foundering off the island’s territorial waters on Wednesday, according to Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. The minister informed parliament that the injured sailors were being transported to a hospital in the southern region of the island, following the frigate’s reported sinking during the early hours of the day. The 180-crew Iranian vessel, which had been in the area, was described as losing stability, prompting an emergency response from Sri Lankan maritime forces. Herath emphasized the collaborative effort to ensure the safety of the sailors, noting that the rescue operation was underway as of the time of his statement. The incident occurred just beyond Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, raising questions about the circumstances leading to the frigate’s distress. Officials confirmed that the majority of the crew had been accounted for, though the exact cause of the frigate’s sinking remained under investigation. The Iranian government had not yet issued a formal statement on the incident, but diplomatic channels were reportedly being used to coordinate further details. The event has drawn attention to the complexities of maritime operations in the region, with concerns about navigation challenges and potential environmental risks. The rescue mission highlighted the role of regional cooperation in maritime emergencies, as Sri Lanka’s military and civilian assets worked to stabilize the situation. While the focus remains on the welfare of the sailors, the incident underscores the vulnerabilities of naval vessels operating in contested or remote waters. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.#iran #sri_lanka #iranian_frigate #vijitha_herath #iris_dena
