US Attack on Iranian Warship During Joint Exercise Sparks Outrage
The Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena was sunk near Galle, Sri Lanka, by a U.S. submarine on March 4, 2026. This incident occurred while the Dena was participating in the multinational Milan-2026 naval exercise, an event where participating ships were mandated to be unarmed. Concerns have been raised that the U.S. was aware of the Dena’s unarmed status, leading to accusations of a premeditated attack and a disregard for India’s sensitivities, as the ship was present at India’s invitation. Iranian officials have condemned the sinking, characterizing it as an act of assassination and a violation of international norms.
John Q. Hosedrinker