Who Rules The Seas? US Torpedo Attack On Iranian Warship Raises Question

Last Updated:March 06, 2026, 19:12 IST

The US Navy had not conducted a torpedo strike since 1945, making the event a stark demonstration of undersea capabilities.

A US submarine’s torpedo strike on an Iranian warship this week has renewed focus on the strategic importance of submarines and undersea warfare in modern conflicts.

The sinking of IRIS Dena on Wednesday in international waters off Sri Lanka killed at least 86 crew members, in what Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called an “atrocity."

The attack came after US-Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend triggered a wider conflict in the Middle East, with Tehran launching retaliatory operations across the region.

The US Navy had not conducted a torpedo strike since 1945, making the event a stark demonstration of undersea capabilities. Washington later released periscope footage showing the submarine firing and images of the warship’s hull tilting as it sank.

Alessio Patalano, a professor at King’s College London, said the ship “sank in less than 20 minutes" and confirmed the sophistication of American submarine warfare. “It didn’t stand a chance," he said.

ALSO READ: US Navy Submarine USS Charlotte Fired Torpedo That Sank Iran’s IRIS Dena: Report

(With inputs from agencies)

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