On March 4, 2026, United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed that a US submarine successfully sank the Iranian warship “IRIS Dena” using a torpedo. Hegseth stated during a briefing, “Yesterday, in the Indian Ocean, an American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo. Quiet death. The first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War II. Like in that war, back when we were still the War Department, we are fighting to win.”

Chairman of Joint Chiefs Praises Military Capability

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, referred to this incident as a remarkable demonstration of the United States’ military reach. He explained that, for the first time since 1945, a fast-attack submarine from the United States Navy had sunk an enemy ship with a single Mark 48 torpedo. Caine remarked, “This is an incredible demonstration of America’s ability to hunt, find, and eliminate threats that are far from our shores. Only the United States can operate on this scale.”

Sri Lankan Navy Rescues Sailors

In related developments, the Sri Lankan Navy reported that they rescued 30 sailors from the “IRIS Dena,” which had issued a distress signal while approximately 40 km off the coast near Galle. The rescue operation involved around 180 sailors who were on board the vessel at the time. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed that those rescued were transported to Karapitiya Hospital for medical evaluation.

Escalation of Military Operations

In Washington, D.C., Secretary Hegseth announced the deployment of additional bombers and fighter jets as part of Operation Epic Fury. He stated, “We are just getting started. We are accelerating, not decelerating. Iran’s capabilities are evaporating by the hour, while American strength grows fiercer, smarter, and utterly dominant.” Hegseth emphasized that more aerial assets were arriving and mentioned the intention to deploy precision-guided munitions, indicating a significant escalation in military readiness.

Progress Report on Combat Operations

General Dan Caine provided an update on military operations, noting that CENTCOM was making steady progress. He reported an 86% reduction in Iran’s theatre ballistic missile launches since the onset of the conflict and a 23% decrease within the previous 24 hours. Additionally, the use of one-way attack drones by Iran had fallen by 73% since the early days of hostilities, indicating a diminishing capacity for Iranian military operations.

Developments in West Asia Conflict

As the conflict in West Asia unfolds on day five, US military officials have vowed to continue increasing their firepower. The situation remains fluid, with American forces asserting dominance in air operations. Hegseth noted that the skies over Iran are under the control of the two most powerful air forces globally, underscoring the ongoing strategic developments in the region.

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