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What happened to the Iranian ship IRIS Dena?

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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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On March 4, 2026, the Iranian destroyer IRIS Dena sank in international waters off the coast of Sri Lanka. A distress call went out at around 5 am local time, and Sri Lanka launched a rescue effort. However, by the time help arrived, the destroyer had already sunk. More than 30 survivors were pulled from the water. The IRIS Dena reportedly had 180 sailors on board. According to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the vessel had been torpedoed by a U.S. submarine. The incident occurred during the 2026 Iran War.