U.S. sinks Iranian warship off Sri Lanka, at least 80 killed

At least 80 people were killed after a U.S. warship sank an Iranian naval vessel off the coast of Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan officials said.

According to Reuters, Sri Lanka’s deputy foreign minister said the Iranian frigate “Iris Dena” had been sailing toward Iran from a port in eastern India when it was struck.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said an American warship sank the Iranian vessel, which he said had believed it was safe in international waters.

Sri Lanka said it launched a search and rescue operation after receiving a distress call, with 32 survivors rescued by the Sri Lanka Navy.

The rescued crew members were taken to a hospital in the southern port city of Galle for treatment, officials said, adding that 180 people had been on board.

The incident comes amid escalating hostilities between Washington and Tehran, with the United States saying it has sunk more than 20 Iranian warships in recent operations.

Iran has warned it could target U.S. vessels in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of further maritime confrontation in strategic waterways.

The sinking marks a significant escalation in the widening conflict, increasing the risk of broader regional instability as both sides trade military threats and actions.

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