In a historic military maneuver, a U.S. submarine employed an underwater torpedo to sink an Iranian vessel, marking the first such occurrence since World War II. This development was announced by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, signaling a significant escalation in U.S. military actions in the region.

During a press conference held at the Pentagon, Secretary Hegseth emphasized the precision of the strike, stating, “An American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters.” He described the event as a “quiet death,” underscoring the stealth and efficiency of the operation.

This incident represents a notable milestone, as it is the first time since World War II that a U.S. submarine has successfully sunk an enemy ship using a torpedo. The last recorded instance of such an action was in 1982 when the UK’s HMS Conqueror, a nuclear-powered submarine, sank an Argentine vessel during the Falklands War.

The torpedo attack occurred on Monday in the Indian Ocean, according to Hegseth. Although he did not specify the name of the Iranian ship, reports have surfaced about an Iranian warship sinking off the coast of Sri Lanka earlier this week.

Hegseth’s announcement also highlighted an intensifying U.S. military campaign against Iran, with the Secretary declaring that the current operations are merely the beginning of a broader strategic initiative. This move reflects a heightened level of military engagement and signals potential further actions in the region.

Hegseth said the torpedo attack occurred on Monday in the Indian Ocean. The secretary did not name the ship, but earlier, an Iranian warship sank off the coast of Sri Lanka.

Video of the incident, taken from a US submarine and released by the Department of War, shows the Iranian warship jolt violently upwards before exploding in a giant plume of smoke. 

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that a US submarine sank an Iranian warship with a torpedo, the first attack of its kind since WWII

Video released by the Department of War shows the US submarine’s view of the exploding Iranian warship

The back part of the vessel, which was the area that appeared to be hit with the torpedo, seems to be lifted out of the water momentarily after impact.  

Sri Lankan foreign affairs minister Vijitha ​Herath announced that the strike occurred around 5 am local time. 

He told parliament 180 people were on board the ⁠Iranian vessel, which he identified as the IRIS Dena. 

‘By 6am we dispatched a naval vessel and by 7am the second naval vessel,’ Hegseth said. Sri Lankan officials announced at least 80 people were killed in the torpedo attack. 

Sri Lankan officials also noted how 32 members of the crew were rescued and brought to a local hospital. 

The Iranian Iris Dena was one of its newest warships. It was reportedly equipped with surface-to-air missiles, a cannon, machine guns, torpedo launchers and anti-ship missiles. 

The vessel took part in a naval drill in the Bay of Bengal from February 18 to 25, according to the exercise’s website.

‘The Iranian Navy rests at the bottom of the Persian Gulf,’ Hegseth said. 

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine celebrated the feat alongside Hegseth at the Pentagon, noting that the US has struck over 2,000 targets.

‘We’ve destroyed more than 20 Iranian naval vessels,’ Caine said.

‘Iran’s major naval presence in theater out there, as the Secretary showed the video, for the first time since 1945, a United States Navy fast attack submarine has sunk an enemy combatant ship using a single Mark 48 torpedo to achieve immediate effect, sending the warship to the bottom of the sea.’

The Iranian vessel before the torpedo impact

The force from the torpedo sent a towering plume of what appears to be smoke and water into the air 

Hegseth was joined by Caine to give an update at the Pentagon as the war hit over 100 hours. 

The secretary claimed that an Iranian leader who plotted to assassinate Trump was killed in US strikes. 

Hegseth said ‘the leader of the unit that attempted to assassinate President Trump has been hunted down and killed,’ at a press conference at the Pentagon on Wednesday.

Though this was ‘not the focus’ of the mission and ‘never raised by the president,’ Hegseth said he and others ensured the leader was added to the ‘target list.’ He did not identify the individual or specify the nature of the plot against Trump.

Trump has claimed that he authorized the US-Israeli strikes that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday because intelligence showed that Iran was targeting him.

‘Four days in we have only just begun,’ Hegseth said. ‘Now with complete control of the skies, we will be using 500-pound, 1,000-pound and 2,000-pound GPS and laser-guided precision gravity bombs of which we have a nearly unlimited stockpile.’

Hegseth said the US had opened the campaign with ‘exquisite standoff munitions,’ sophisticated long-range weapons designed to strike from beyond the reach of enemy air defenses.

He said those munitions were no longer needed, pushing back at reports of stretched supplies with the assurance that ‘our stockpile of those remains extremely strong.’

Tomahawk missiles cost upwards of $2 million apiece; gravity bombs deliver a comparable punch for roughly $25,000 per unit, though they require total air superiority to be deployed within range.

Entering day five of the conflict, over a thousand are confirmed dead. 

At least 1,045 people have been killed in Iran, the country’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs said Wednesday. 

In Israel, 11 people have been killed. More than 50 people have been killed in Lebanon, according to the Health Ministry. At least six US troops have been killed.