The IRIS DENA shock |
TO promote the MILAN 2026 multilateral naval exercise and International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam, India, the Moudge-class frigate of the Iranian Navy IRIS DENA was present at the event from 15 to 25 February 2026.
The ship was invited to the event of the Indian Navy and took part with more than 70 countries, with 42 ships and 29 aircrafts with the theme of Camaraderie, Cooperation and Collaboration. On 18 February, IRIS DENA participated in the International Fleet Review, which was reviewed by Indian President Droupadi Murmu as a Chief Guest. Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani was present and sailors of the ship also took part in a naval parade in the city. The US deployed P-8A Poseidon aircraft, but destroyer, USS Pinckney (DDG-91), pulled out on 15 February due to operational reasons.
While returning after attending the exercise, two Iranian ships were heading towards Sri Lanka to join a third ship for a home voyage. Unfortunately, IRIS DENA was sunk by a Mk-48 torpedo fired by a US nuclear submarine on 4 March. The hit occurred close to the Sri Lankan coast (19 miles), It sank rapidly after sending an SOS signal. Sri Lanka’s navy promptly responded under international humanitarian law, rescuing 32 survivors (many seriously injured) and recovering 87 bodies; a few remained missing. The 2nd Iranian ship, auxiliary vessel IRIS BUSHEHR, asked for Sri Lankan assistance after experiencing an engine problem on 5 March. Later, the ship was towed to Trincomalee harbour and 208 crew members were evacuated by the Sri Lankan Navy. The third Iranian vessel, an amphibious craft, was in Mumbai on a goodwill visit during the same time. She left the Mumbai port to join the Iranian Fleet enroute to home port but developed technical problems and asked Indian authorities for assistance. Ultimately, she entered Kochi Port on 1 March.
The Iranian frigate IRIS DENA, including naval cadets from the Iranian Naval Academy was on a training and goodwill transit after participating in India’s MILAN 2026 multilateral exercise and International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam. Such goodwill cruises typically involve no wartime ammunition, light rigging for combat and a festive atmosphere focused on training, cultural exchanges, sightseeing, shopping and enjoying local hospitality. Crews often include musicians or bands for social events. The timing coincided with Ramadan, possibly during sehri (pre-dawn meal), when alertness may have been reduced. The vessel was unarmed and unprepared for hostilities amid broader US-Iran conflict.
The Indian media reported that the Indian Navy was slow and inadequate in responding to the distress call. India wrote off the sincerity of their intentions by sending the INS TARANGINI, a sail ship whose crew consisted of trainees, to signal that it was tacit approval of US actions. This has compromised the so-called claim of India as the ‘Net Security Provider’ of the region. Moreover, the fact that New Delhi did not issue a statement to condemn the attack on the Iranian frigate or at least show sympathy to the bereaved families, is a worrying development in terms of diplomacy. This indifference is further shown when Jaishankar, the Foreign Minister, dismisses the sinking saying it was a case of ‘caught on the wrong side of event’. To Iran, this incident is a bitter experience on the dependability of India. Finally, the event reveals a wide discrepancy between the maritime rhetoric in India and its readiness to defend the guests in the region.
New Delhi’s cautious approach reflects its broader strategic calculus. India is not likely to favour Iran at the cost of its relations with the US and Israel. Iran has been trying its best to improve relations with India in the past, even at the cost of its relations with Pakistan (Iran-India agreement on Chabahar Port, India pulling out of IPI Gas Project, Indian ingress to Pakistani Baluchistan through covert operations and providing Iranian oil on subsidized rates). Although India has now pulled out of Chabahar Port under US pressure, this clearly indicates Indian priorities. Earlier, India was also reluctant to clear oil payments under US pressure. Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Israel and addressing the Israeli parliament, just before the opening of hostilities by Israel against Iran, is testimony to India’s preference and support for the pending Israeli action.
Sinking of a ship away from the war theatre also implies that merchant marines plying in the area are now equally vulnerable to hostile act, as the US offensive has already increased the size of the war zone. The IRIS DENA tragedy carries implications beyond a single maritime incident but threatens the global economic interests.
—The writer, an expert on geopolitics, maritime security & strategic affairs, is associated with the National Institute of Maritime Affairs; views expressed are his own.