Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, accused the United States of committing a grave “atrocity at sea” by deliberately sinking the Iranian Navy frigate IRIS Dena in international waters off Sri Lanka, killing dozens of sailors and prompting a major international incident.
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In a strongly worded statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) and later amplified through state media channels, Araghchi said: “The US has perpetrated an atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran’s shores. Frigate Dena, a guest of India’s Navy carrying almost 130 sailors, was struck in international waters without warning. This is not only an act of war but a deliberate crime against humanity. The United States and its allies will bitterly regret setting this precedent.”
The minister’s remarks came hours after Sri Lanka’s Navy confirmed the rescue of 32 survivors from the sunken vessel and reported that up to 140 personnel remain missing following the early-morning disaster on March 4. Iranian state media has repeatedly claimed the ship was targeted by a U.S. submarine or drone strike, while U.S. officials have so far declined to comment on the incident.
The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) have not issued any statement acknowledging involvement in the sinking. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, when asked about Araghchi’s accusation during Tuesday’s briefing, said only: “We are monitoring reports from the region and will respond through appropriate channels if necessary.”
The incident adds another layer of volatility to the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, which has already seen direct strikes on diplomatic compounds, oil infrastructure, and military facilities across the Gulf.
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The fate of the remaining crew and the precise cause of the sinking remain unconfirmed, with tensions continuing to rise across the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf.
DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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