Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a US submarine torpedoed and sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, marking the first American torpedo kill since World War II, while vowing to sustain military operations “as long as needed” in a conflict that has already decimated Iran’s naval and air capabilities.
Story Highlights
- US submarine sank the Iranian warship IRIS Dena with a torpedo strike in international waters off Sri Lanka on March 3, 2026
- Pentagon released unprecedented footage of the torpedo impact, confirming the first US submarine torpedo sinking since 1945
- Defense Secretary Hegseth declared the Iranian navy “not a factor” after four days of operations left it “decimated and destroyed”
- Sri Lankan Navy recovered 87 bodies and rescued 32 survivors following the strike
- US-led coalition pursues “complete control of Iranian airspace” with sustained operations targeting military infrastructure
Historic Torpedo Strike Marks Naval Milestone
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed March 4 that a US submarine successfully torpedoed and sank an Iranian warship identified as the IRIS Dena or Soleimani in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka.
The Pentagon released dramatic footage showing the torpedo impact, marking the first time such strike video has been made public. Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine clarified the historic significance, noting this represents the first torpedo sinking by a US submarine since the USS Torsk destroyed a Japanese vessel in 1945, ending World War II undersea combat operations.
Iranian Naval Capabilities Rendered Ineffective
The sinking occurred amid a broader US-led campaign that has systematically dismantled Iran’s military capabilities over four days of intensive operations. Hegseth declared the Iranian navy “rests at the bottom of the Persian Gulf” and is “not a factor anymore,” emphasizing American forces achieved overwhelming naval superiority in the region.
The Defense Secretary characterized US operations as “precise and unrelenting,” designed to dismantle, demoralize, destroy, and defeat Iranian command structures. This decisive show of force demonstrates what happens when American military might operates without the restraints patriots witnessed during the previous administration’s appeasement policies toward Iran.
Sustained Operations Target Regional Threat
Hegseth emphasized the administration’s commitment to prolonged engagement, stating “we’ll fight as long as we need to” while confirming US forces remain on track to achieve “complete control of Iranian airspace” within days.
The operations involve eleven countries and target critical infrastructure including Iranian military installations, command centers, and strategic assets.
This approach represents a stark departure from the weakness conservatives criticized under Biden-era policies that allowed Iranian proxies to threaten American interests with impunity. The Trump administration’s willingness to demonstrate American resolve sends an unmistakable message about defending national security interests.
International Waters Strike Extends US Reach
The torpedo strike occurred in international waters off Sri Lanka’s coast, far from the Persian Gulf theater where initial combat operations decimated Iranian naval forces. Sri Lankan Navy vessels responded to the incident, recovering 87 bodies and rescuing 32 survivors from the sunken warship.
The Indian Ocean operation underscores American submarine forces’ global reach and capability to engage threats wherever they emerge.
This projection of power into international waters demonstrates the United States will not limit defensive operations to regional boundaries when confronting adversaries who threaten American interests and allies, a principle that resonates with conservatives who support peace through strength.
Historical Context Confirms US Naval Supremacy
While Hegseth initially characterized the sinking as the first torpedo kill since World War II globally, military analysts noted other nations conducted similar operations, including Britain’s 1982 sinking of the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano during the Falklands War.
However, the clarification that this represents the first US submarine torpedo sinking since 1945 remains historically significant, showcasing American naval capabilities not demonstrated in modern conflicts spanning Korea, Vietnam, or Middle Eastern operations.
The Pentagon’s decision to release strike footage provides unprecedented transparency, allowing Americans to witness their military’s precision and effectiveness after years of questioning whether defense spending translated into operational superiority.
