Iran Foreign Minister Calls US Sinking of Frigate IRIS Dena an Atrocity at Sea

Iran foreign minister condemned the U.S. Navy destruction of the frigate IRIS Dena as an atrocity at sea after the vessel was torpedoed by a U.S. submarine in the Indian Ocean while returning from the MILAN 2026 multilateral naval exercises hosted by India in Visakhapatnam, Feb. 15-25. Sri Lankan naval forces recovered 87 bodies and rescued 32 crew members from the sunken warship, which U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth called a strategic prize ship. The attack triggered diplomatic concern in India, with opposition lawmakers criticizing Prime Minister Modi for remaining silent as the conflict expanded into Indian Ocean waters.