Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday confirmed a U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship in international waters in the Indian Ocean.
The incident, which happened as U.S. forces continued striking targets in Iran, is believed to be the first time an American submarine sank an enemy vessel since World War II.
Mr. Hegseth said the Iranian ship thought it was safe in international waters.
“Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo. Quiet death,” he told reporters at the Pentagon. “We are fighting to win.”
Mr. Hegseth didn’t identify the U.S. submarine or the Iranian vessel that was targeted. But, news organizations in Sri Lanka identified the ship as the IRIS Dena.
According to the Daily Mirror of Sri Lanka, the U.S. strike triggered a distress call, prompting Sri Lankan armed forces to launch a search and rescue mission. At least 32 crew members were recovered, along with several bodies.
SEE ALSO: U.S. soldiers who died in Iran war remembered as devoted parents and reservists
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