At least 87 people have been killed after a United States submarine torpedoed an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, according to reports by media. The vessel, identified as IRIS Dena, had recently participated in a multinational naval exercise in India before the incident occurred.

The Iranian frigate, a Moudge-class warship, had taken part in the MILAN naval exercise earlier this year. After completing the exercise and beginning its return journey, the vessel was reportedly attacked by a US submarine while sailing in international waters.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that an American submarine carried out the strike. Speaking to reporters, he described the attack as proof of the United States’ ability to project military power across the globe amid its ongoing conflict with Iran.

“An American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo,” Hegseth said.

Video of strike released by US

Following the attack, the US Department of War released a black-and-white video showing what appeared to be footage from a submarine periscope followed by a distant explosion. The release of near real-time visuals from a submarine attack is considered unusual and highlights changing practices in wartime information sharing.

Military observers noted that the Iranian vessel likely did not detect the US submarine, even though it was operating at periscope depth. Analysts say this suggests a high level of stealth and tactical capability on the part of the American submarine.

Warship had recently visited India

IRIS Dena had earlier travelled to India to participate in the MILAN 2026 naval exercise, one of the largest multilateral maritime drills in the Indo-Pacific region. The exercise brings together navies from several countries to improve cooperation, maritime awareness and coordinated response to security challenges.

According to a statement issued by the Indian Navy on February 16, the harbour and sea phases of MILAN included complex maritime operations such as anti-submarine warfare, air defence exercises and search-and-rescue missions.

It remains unclear whether the US submarine had been monitoring the Iranian ship during its journey to and from the exercise. Defence experts believe it is possible that the submarine tracked the vessel throughout its voyage for intelligence purposes, a practice that is common among naval forces.

Bodies recovered near Sri Lanka

Officials from the Sri Lankan Navy said that 87 bodies have been recovered so far following the sinking of the frigate near Sri Lanka’s coast. Rescue operations are continuing as search teams attempt to locate missing sailors.

Authorities said 32 survivors have been rescued, while 61 crew members are still reported missing.

First torpedo sinking since World War II

Hegseth described the operation as a “quiet death” and said it marked the first time since World War II that the United States has sunk an enemy vessel using a torpedo.

“Like in that war, we are fighting to win,” he said.

According to the Pentagon, a key objective of the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran is to neutralise Iran’s naval capabilities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday night chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to assess the rapidly evolving situation in West Asia following the US-Israel military action against Iran and the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The high-level meeting took place soon after the prime minister returned to New Delhi at around 9.30 pm after concluding his two-day visit to Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. According to sources, the CCS reviewed developments arising from the fresh round of hostilities in the region and their potential implications for India.

Those present at the meeting included Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Senior officials such as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan, Cabinet Secretary T. V. Somanathan and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also attended.

Safety of Indian nationals discussed

Sources indicated that the CCS deliberated on measures to ensure the safety of Indian citizens in the region. Nearly 10,000 Indians are currently in Iran, while more than 40,000 reside in Israel. The broader Gulf and West Asia region is home to an estimated nine million Indians.

With airspace across parts of West Asia largely shut amid military escalation, flight operations have been disrupted. Hundreds of Indian passengers are reported to be stranded at major transit hubs such as Dubai and Doha, prompting appeals on social media for government assistance.

The Ministry of External Affairs said Indian missions in the affected countries are in touch with nationals and have activated helplines to provide support.

Strait of Hormuz and oil supply concerns

The meeting is also understood to have reviewed the situation arising from the reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian authorities. The strait is a crucial maritime route for global energy supplies, including oil shipments destined for India.

In the past, India has carried out large-scale evacuation operations in conflict zones, including in West Asia, to bring back its citizens safely.

Escalation in West Asia

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reported killed in a major strike carried out early Saturday by Israel and the United States. Iranian state television and the state-run IRNA news agency announced the 86-year-old leader’s death on Sunday.

US President Donald Trump said the action gave Iranians their “greatest chance” to “take back their country” and indicated that military operations would continue as long as necessary.

Iran responded by launching drones and missiles targeting Israel, US military installations in the Gulf region, and areas including the global business hub of Dubai.

Meanwhile, members of the Shia community in several parts of India held gatherings on Sunday to express grief and protest over Khamenei’s killing.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been killed following joint military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, according to confirmation from Iranian state media.

State broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reported on Sunday morning that the 86-year-old leader had “reached martyrdom”. Media reports said he was killed in his office during the early hours of Saturday when Israeli and US forces launched what has been described as one of the most extensive attacks on Iranian targets in decades.

Iranian state television said his death at his office demonstrated that he “stood among the people and at the forefront of his responsibilities,” confronting what officials described as “global arrogance”.

Reports of strike on Khamenei’s compound

Earlier, media reports quoting Israeli officials stated that Khamenei had been killed in an Israeli strike on his compound in Tehran on Saturday morning. A senior Israeli official reportedly said his body had been recovered from the site.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been shown an image of Khamenei’s body after it was retrieved from the compound.

The assassination of the Islamic Republic’s second Supreme Leader, who reportedly had no designated successor, is expected to create significant uncertainty over Iran’s political future and could heighten the risk of prolonged regional conflict amid threats of retaliation.

Trump announces death on social media

US President Donald Trump announced Khamenei’s death in a post on X, describing it as “the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.” He said the operation followed coordinated US-Israeli aerial bombardment targeting Iranian military and government sites.

In a separate post on Truth Social, Trump said US intelligence and tracking systems had monitored Khamenei’s movements and claimed there was “not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do.”

He added that the heavy and “pinpoint bombing” would continue as long as necessary to achieve what he described as peace across the Middle East and the world.

Shortly after Trump’s announcement, a message appeared on Khamenei’s official X account in Persian reading: “In the name of Nami Haider (peace be upon him),” raising questions about the timing of the confirmation.

Other senior Iranian leaders reported killed

Sources cited by media said that Iran’s Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour were among those killed in the strikes.

Israel’s military said it had confirmed the deaths of five other senior commanders, including Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to the Supreme Leader. Iranian media also reported that several of Khamenei’s family members — including his daughter, grandchild, son-in-law and daughter-in-law — were killed.

Iran has described the strikes as unprovoked and illegal. In response, it reportedly launched missile attacks targeting Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states hosting US military bases.

Who was Ali Khamenei

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had led Iran since 1989, succeeding Ruhollah Khomeini after the latter’s death. As Supreme Leader, he held ultimate authority over the government, armed forces and judiciary in the Islamic Republic.

Initially seen by some observers as a weak successor, Khamenei consolidated power over decades, maintaining a hardline stance against Western countries, particularly the United States. Throughout his tenure, he backed policies that critics said deepened Iran’s international isolation.

He remained vocal in opposing Washington, including during Donald Trump’s second term as president beginning in 2025. Amid protests within Iran and growing external pressure, Khamenei had reiterated that the country would not “yield to the enemy,” reflecting his longstanding anti-Western posture.

His death marks a major turning point for Iran and the wider Middle East, with regional and global implications likely to unfold in the coming days.