US Navy Submarine USS Charlotte Fired Torpedo That Sank Iran's IRIS Dena: Report

Last Updated:March 06, 2026, 11:37 IST

US officials have said that the submarine USS Charlotte fired the torpedo that sank Iran’s warship IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean after two MK-48 torpedoes were launched.

The torpedo that struck and sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean earlier this week was fired by the US Navy attack submarine USS Charlotte, multiple US officials told CBS News.

According to the report, the Los Angeles-class attack submarine fired two MK-48 torpedoes at the Iranian warship IRIS Dena.

The report quoted officials as saying that the first torpedo missed the target, while the second torpedo struck the vessel, sinking it.

The incident marks a significant escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States amid the ongoing conflict in the region.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had earlier confirmed the strike on Wednesday while speaking to reporters, saying that the Iranian warship had believed it was safe while sailing in international waters.

“The Iranian warship thought it was safe in international waters," Hegseth said while announcing the attack, according to the CBS News report.

WARSHIP SANK OFF SRI LANKA AFTER SUBMARINE ATTACK

The Iranian warship sank in international waters off the coast of Sri Lanka after being struck by a US submarine attack early Wednesday.

The vessel, IRIS Dena, had been returning to Iran after participating in the Milan multilateral naval exercise hosted by India.

Sri Lankan authorities said that at least 87 Iranian sailors were killed in the attack.

The targeting of the vessel drew sharp condemnation from Iranian officials, who said the ship was not carrying weapons at the time it was struck.

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