Tehran, March 5 (NationPress) Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Aragchi has vocally criticized the United States for its unexpected attack on the Iranian Frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean, labeling the act an “atrocity at sea” and cautioning that Washington will “bitterly regret” setting such a dangerous precedent.

According to Aragchi, the naval vessel had recently visited the Indian Navy and was transporting approximately 130 sailors at the moment of the assault. He accused the US of executing a strike without prior warning in waters well beyond Iran's maritime boundaries.

“The US has committed an atrocity at sea, situated 2,000 miles from Iran’s coastline. The Frigate Dena, a guest of the Indian Navy carrying nearly 130 sailors, was attacked in international waters without any forewarning. Mark my words: The US will face the consequences of the dangerous precedent it has established,” the Iranian Foreign Minister stated in a message on X.

These comments from Aragchi follow the incident in which an American submarine fired a torpedo that resulted in the sinking of the IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean, near the southern coast of Sri Lanka. This marked a significant event as it was the first instance since World War II that the US has sunk an enemy vessel using a submarine-launched torpedo.

The frigate, which is a smaller class of warship, was returning from naval operations in India at the time it was targeted. The IRIS Dena, a frigate-class ship belonging to the Iranian Navy, participated in the Milan International Fleet Review held in the Bay of Bengal from February 18 to 25, during which it was received by the Indian Navy.

“The Indian Navy warmly welcomed IRIS Dena, of the Iranian Navy, upon her arrival at Visakhapatnam... demonstrating the enduring cultural connections between our two nations,” the Indian Navy remarked in a post on X during the frigate's visit.

This multinational naval exercise included participation from around 74 countries. Notably, the United States did not partake in the exercise; the US Navy's guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney was initially scheduled to join but withdrew just before the event commenced. The exercise concluded on February 25.

Reports indicate that the IRIS Dena departed from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and was en route back when it was attacked in international waters close to southern Sri Lanka on February 4.

US officials have not denied their involvement in the attack, openly confirming the sinking of the Iranian vessel.

“An American submarine sank an Iranian warship that believed it was secure in international waters. Instead, it met its end via a torpedo. A quiet demise,” commented US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the incident.

In the aftermath of the attack, rescue operations were initiated in the vicinity. The Sri Lankan Navy managed to rescue approximately 30 sailors from the IRIS Dena. The rescued individuals were taken to Karapitiya Hospital in the southern port city of Galle for medical treatment.

This incident has exacerbated tensions in the region, contributing to an already escalating conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel.

The current hostilities commenced on February 28 when the US and Israel executed coordinated strikes on Iran, reportedly targeting the nation’s missile arsenal and nuclear facilities, resulting in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.