The Iranian naval frigate IRIS Dina has reportedly sunk near Indian waters after being struck during a naval incident involving the United States. The development has raised concerns about rising tensions in the region.
According to the United States Department of Defense, footage was released showing a U.S. Navy operation targeting the Iranian warship. Officials said the vessel went down while returning from a major international naval event.
The frigate IRIS Dina had recently participated in the Milan 2026 International Fleet Review in Vishakhapatnam, India. The ship was reportedly heading back toward Iran when the incident occurred in the Indian Ocean.
Rescue operations underway
Authorities in Sri Lanka confirmed that rescue efforts are ongoing in nearby waters. Officials said around 140 sailors from the crew remain missing.
The vessel carried approximately 180 crew members. Search teams have rescued about 30 survivors so far.
Several survivors suffered serious injuries. Reports say some had broken bones, burns, and deep cuts.
Emergency teams from nearby countries have joined the rescue mission. Aircraft and naval ships are searching the surrounding waters for additional survivors.
Capabilities of the IRIS Dina
The IRIS Dina was a Moudge-class frigate operated by the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy.
The ship measured about 95 meters in length and weighed around 1,500 tons. It was considered one of Iran’s important domestically produced naval vessels.
The IRIS Dina was equipped with advanced weapons systems. These included Noor and Qader anti-ship missiles.
The vessel also carried a 76 mm Fajr-27 naval gun and a 30 mm weapons system. These weapons allowed the ship to perform both defensive and offensive roles.
Since entering service, the frigate had traveled nearly 65,000 kilometers on international missions. Iranian officials often described it as a symbol of the country’s naval capability.
Cause of the sinking still unclear
Officials say the exact reason for the sinking has not been independently confirmed. According to W. J. M. J. Herath, the ship sent a distress signal early Wednesday morning.
The emergency alert triggered the large rescue operation in the region.
Some political figures have suggested the vessel may have been targeted during ongoing tensions involving the United States and Israel. However, authorities have not officially confirmed the cause.
Participation in naval exercises
According to the Indian Navy Eastern Naval Command, the ship had taken part in the IRFN and Milan 2026 joint naval exercise.
These exercises bring together multiple navies from across the region for cooperation and maritime training.
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Security experts say the loss of IRIS Dina could affect Iran’s naval operations in the near term. At the same time, the focus remains on locating the missing sailors and continuing the rescue mission in the Indian Ocean.
