Sri Lankan authorities seize control of Iranian naval ship following torpedo attack on frigate in Indian Ocean

Sri Lanka takes control of the IRIS Bushehr and evacuates 208 crew after a US submarine sinks the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 4:33 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Army Recognition

Humanitarian Response and State Custody

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake confirmed on March 5 that Sri Lanka has assumed control of the Iranian naval auxiliary ship IRIS Bushehr. The vessel, a Bandar Abbas class fleet replenishment ship, requested permission to enter Sri Lankan waters after suffering significant engine malfunctions while operating near the island’s exclusive economic zone. In response to the request, Sri Lankan authorities evacuated more than 200 crew members and placed the ship under state supervision to maintain maritime neutrality and ensure the safety of local commercial shipping lanes.

Sinking of the IRIS Dena

The emergency request from the IRIS Bushehr followed a violent naval engagement in the early hours of March 4. The Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was struck by a torpedo fired from a United States submarine, identified by some reports as the Los Angeles class USS Charlotte, approximately 19 nautical miles from the port of Galle. The frigate, which had been participating in multinational naval exercises, was carrying roughly 180 personnel at the time of the attack. Sri Lankan rescue teams managed to recover 32 survivors from the water, but the death toll from the strike has risen to at least 87 individuals.

Evacuation and Personnel Logistics

The evacuation of the IRIS Bushehr involved the transfer of 208 Iranian personnel to the capital city of Colombo. The group included a mix of 53 officers, 84 cadet officers, and dozens of sailors who were brought ashore for medical examinations and immigration processing. Following these procedures, the crew members were moved to secure facilities at the Welisara naval base. Authorities prioritized the evacuation to address humanitarian obligations while simultaneously removing the foreign military personnel from an active maritime environment.