On March 4, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed a US submarine sank the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in international waters. The move killed more than 80 crew members, this according to Sri Lankan authorities who launched a rescue mission.
The Pentagon released footage showing a ship hit by a massive explosion near the stern before sinking. At least 87 bodies have been recovered and 32 people rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy, officials said. Some 130 people are believed to have been on board when the first distress call was received hours after the incident.
Destroying Iran’s navy has been a key goal of the US military campaign, according to Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of US Central Command, adding that the US has destroyed more than 17 Iranian ships.
This was the first time a US attack submarine has sunk a combat ship with a torpedo since 1945, said General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The 1945 reference likely points to the USS Torsk, which sank several Japanese combat ships.
Indeed, as tensions remain high in global seas with rising conflict between nations, maritime borders have become hot spots for political standoffs, leaving many to wonder how close the world is to a broader crisis at sea. Curious about the escalating threats to global peace? Click through to explore the growing risks.