Iranian Naval Vessel Near Sri Lanka Seeks Urgent Port Call, Day After US Submarine Sank IRIS Dena

Last Updated:March 05, 2026, 16:18 IST

On Wednesday, a US submarine intercepted and torpedoed Iranian frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean- some 2,000 nautical miles from Iran.

A day after a US submarine sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena in Sri Lankan waters, a second Iranian naval vessel has now appeared in the island nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone and has formally requested an urgent port call, Sri Lankan MP Namal Rajapaksa said.

“It has been brought to our notice that another Iranian vessel is in Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone, just outside our territorial waters and has sought the government’s permission to make an urgent port call. However it is yet awaiting the government’s clearance," Rajapaksa wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Sri Lanka’s Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa separately confirmed the presence of a second Iranian warship just outside Sri Lankan waters, though he offered no further details about the vessel or the circumstances of its request.

What Happened To IRIS Dena

The urgency of the second vessel’s request is inseparable from the fate of the IRIS Dena. On Wednesday, a US submarine intercepted and torpedoed the Iranian frigate in the Indian Ocean- some 2,000 nautical miles from Iran- killing at least 87 sailors. The IRIS Dena had been returning from a military exercise held at Visakhapatnam in India when it was struck.

Sri Lankan authorities rescued 32 sailors during subsequent search operations, but several others remain missing at sea and are presumed dead.

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth confirmed the American attack, describing the destruction of the Iranian warship as a “huge win" for Washington.

“America is winning decisively, devastatingly and without mercy. Under the direct command of President Trump, the War Department unleashed this operation," Hegseth said, adding that the US would ensure success in its joint operation with Israel.

Sri Lanka’s Concern

Sri Lankan MP Rajapaksa noted that the sinking of IRIS Dena also raises concerns for India, given the proximity of the incident to Indian waters and the fact that the vessel had been participating in a naval exercise at an Indian port.

News world Iranian Naval Vessel Near Sri Lanka Seeks Urgent Port Call, Day After US Submarine Sank IRIS Dena

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