Three Iranian naval ships have become central to the escalating US-Iran naval standoff in the Indian Ocean. One warship IRINS Dena was sunk by a US submarine, another naval military tanker IRINS Busheir has reportedly taken refuge at Colombo port in Sri Lanka, and the location of the third IRINS Lavan remains unknown. This dramatic sequence unfolded on March 4, 2026, amid broader airstrikes between the US, Israel, and Iran.
The first warship, the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, fell victim to a US submarine torpedo strike in international waters off Sri Lanka’s southern coast near Galle. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the attack during a Pentagon briefing, calling it the first such US submarine operation against an enemy vessel since World War II. The frigate, carrying 180 crew members, had just returned from India’s International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam.
Sri Lanka’s Rescue Amid Chaos
Sri Lanka’s navy responded swiftly to a distress call issued between 6am and 7am local time, about 40 nautical miles offshore. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath detailed how two navy vessels and an aircraft rescued 32 critically wounded sailors and recovered 87 bodies. Ambulances ferried survivors to Galle’s naval headquarters, while search efforts continue for the rest. An Iranian embassy team visited to question survivors, but no other vessels were detected nearby.
Second Warship Seeks Safety in Colombo
Reports indicate a second Iranian naval vessel, the military tanker IRINS Busheir, part of the same flotilla, docked urgently at Colombo port for refuge. Fleeing the conflict zone, it avoided further US pursuit and remains under Sri Lankan protection. Sri Lankan authorities have not publicly disclosed further details about its operational condition, maintaining neutrality in the US-Iran clash. This move echoes past Iranian naval visits to Colombo but highlights the heightened risks now.
Mystery of the Third Warship
The third warship’s whereabouts are unknown, fueling speculation of evasion maneuvers or potential engagement. Traveling together initially, the trio separated amid US operations like “Operation Epic Fury,” which has targeted over 20 Iranian vessels. No confirmed sightings or distress signals have emerged, leaving its fate a key question as tensions simmer.
Roots in Wider Conflict
This naval drama ties into a five-day barrage of US-Israel airstrikes on Iran following the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and nearly 800 others. Iran retaliated with drones and missiles on Israel and US Gulf assets, killing six American troops. The warships’ mission near India underscores Iran’s push into regional waters, now met with decisive US countermeasures.
Sri Lanka maintains a humanitarian focus, avoiding geopolitical sides. The incidents spotlight vulnerabilities in busy Indian Ocean routes. As families grieve and searches persist, the missing third ship could signal the next flashpoint in this volatile US-Iran naval chess game.
