New Delhi: The Iranian warship IRIS Dena faced a devastating attack while returning from a naval exercise hosted by India in the Bay of Bengal. On Wednesday, the vessel met a watery grave in the Indian Ocean, south of the Sri Lankan coast, following a torpedo attack launched from a US submarine. This incident has sparked extreme tension across the Middle East and South Asia.



Incident Details and Casualties

The ambush took place in international waters while the ship was heading back from Visakhapatnam. There were a total of 130 personnel on board. According to the latest information:

* Deceased: 87 Iranian naval officers and staff.

* Rescued: The Sri Lankan Navy rescued 32 individuals alive; they are currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Galle.

* Missing: Several personnel are still unaccounted for.

Tehran's Stern Warning

Iran has described the incident as an act of "brutality." In a sharp statement on social media, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi wrote:

> "This attack was carried out without any warning in international waters, 2,000 miles away from the Iranian coast. Remember, America will deeply regret the precedent it has set."

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He further reminded that the ship had come to the Indian Ocean as a guest of the Indian Navy.

Context and Diplomatic Situation

The IRIS Dena had arrived to participate in the 'MILAN 2024' (Milan International Fleet Review) exercise held in the Bay of Bengal from February 18 to 25. The ship fell victim to this attack while returning from Visakhapatnam after accepting the hospitality of the Indian Navy.

Key Significance:

* This is the first time since World War II that an enemy warship has been destroyed at the hands of the United States.

* Although the attack occurred very close to India and within an Indian-influenced region, New Delhi has not yet issued any official statement on the matter.

* The heat of the US-Israel vs. Iran conflict has now reached I

ndia's doorstep.