The US allegedly aimed to eliminate the crew of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena, according to Hamed Momeneh, one of the survivors of the torpedo assault that occurred in March. This statement marks the first account from a sailor aboard the IRIS Dena following the incident, which resulted in the deaths of at least 84 Iranian sailors. The frigate-class warship was reportedly torpedoed and sunk by a US submarine while returning from a naval exercise conducted in India.

Momeneh conveyed that had the US intended merely to damage the vessel, it would have targeted a different section. A video featuring his firsthand account of the incident was shared by the Iranian Embassy in India, which also announced the return of nine sailors who survived the attack. The embassy’s post read, “Welcome home, heroic sailors,” on the social platform X.

The IRIS Dena had been concluding its trip from Visakhapatnam when it was struck in waters that do not fall within India’s maritime boundary. Subsequent information revealed that another Iranian ship had received refuge from India prior to the attack.

Details of the Attack Emerged

Following the attack, Momeneh asserted that the US action contravened international maritime laws, as the region was not deemed a war zone and no warning had been issued. He stated, “It was a completely unexpected attack that violated international protocols.”

He also referenced a statement made by US President Donald Trump, who allegedly expressed amusement at the sinking of the IRIS Dena, suggesting it was more “fun” to destroy the vessel than to capture it. Momeneh reiterated that the primary intent appeared to be the elimination of the crew rather than merely disabling the ship itself.

Implications of the Incident for India-Iran Relations

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, government sources revealed that India had provided shelter for over 180 crew members of another Iranian ship, IRIS Lavan, in Kochi during the same timeframe. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that Iran had requested permission for three Iranian vessels to dock at Indian ports on February 28. Reports indicated that while certain vessels were allowed to dock safely, the IRIS Dena chose to continue its journey and ultimately fell victim to the US submarine.

The sinking of the IRIS Dena has sparked significant controversy within India, particularly as it occurred shortly after a naval exercise, raising complex questions about maritime security and international relations.

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