The United States Department of Defence has announced that American military forces have struck or sunk more than 20 vessels linked to the Iranian regime amid escalating tensions in the region.
This significant claim follows the release of footage that allegedly depicts a torpedo hitting an Iranian warship in proximity to Sri Lanka, raising concerns about the ongoing maritime conflict.
In a subsequent update, United States Central Command detailed that these military actions have resulted in “striking or sinking to the bottom of the ocean more than 20 ships associated with the Iranian regime.”
However, it is important to note that these claims remain unverified by independent sources, and Iranian officials have not publicly acknowledged the reported losses, leaving some ambiguity about their accuracy.
If these statements are confirmed, the scale of damage to Iranian naval capabilities would indicate a marked escalation in maritime military operations linked to the broader conflict, potentially altering the dynamics of regional security and diplomatic relations.
U.S. forces have struck or sunk to the bottom of the ocean more than 20 ships from the Iranian regime. Last night, CENTCOM added a Soleimani-class warship to the list. pic.twitter.com/KgW8cS726P
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 4, 2026
Earlier on Wednesday, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth provided confirmation that a US submarine fired a torpedo and successfully “sunk an Iranian warship” in the Indian Ocean.
During a press briefing, Hegseth described the warship’s current state, stating that it now lies at the bottom of the Persian Gulf.
He emphasised the extent of the destruction, declaring the vessel to be “ineffective, decimated, destroyed…” and urged listeners to choose their preferred adjective, concluding with, “it is no more.”
🚨 BREAKING: The Pentagon releases footage of a US submarine launching a TORPEDO at an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean
Iranian Yak-130 #IranWar pic.twitter.com/nvrkIhSJ74— JJAY (@jpchordiya_5) March 4, 2026
This incident marks a significant escalation in naval tensions in the region, shedding light on ongoing geopolitical conflicts.
He again confirmed a US submarine operating in the Indian Ocean “sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters.”
“Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo, a quiet death – the first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War II. Like in that war, back when we were still the war department, we are fighting to win.”
