Washington, March 4 (NationPress) An American Navy submarine has successfully sunk an Iranian naval ship in the Indian Ocean amidst the ongoing tensions with Tehran. This event represents the first instance since World War II where a US submarine has utilized a torpedo to eliminate an enemy warship, according to high-ranking US military officials who spoke on Wednesday.

The operation occurred as part of Operation Epic Fury, a US-led military initiative that focuses on undermining Iran's missile and naval capabilities.

During a briefing at the Pentagon, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth highlighted this incident as a testament to the extensive reach of American naval strength.

“Yesterday, in the Indian Ocean, an American submarine sank an Iranian warship that believed it was secure in international waters,” Hegseth remarked.

He confirmed that the vessel was incapacitated by a torpedo strike.

“This marks the first time since World War II that an enemy ship has been sunk by a torpedo,” he added.

Air Force General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, corroborated the attack, labeling it a rare and momentous naval encounter.

“For the first time since 1945, a US Navy fast-attack submarine has successfully sunk an enemy combatant using a single Mark 48 torpedo, sending the warship to the ocean floor,” Caine stated.

The Iranian ship was reportedly operating outside the primary combat zone when it was targeted, as indicated by Pentagon sources.

Caine emphasized that this strike showcased US forces' capability to locate and neutralize enemy vessels far from the main battlefront.

“Hunting and eliminating an out-of-area deployer is a unique capability that only the United States can execute at this scale,” he added.

This sinking is part of a more extensive strategy aimed at crippling Iran’s naval strength. US authorities disclosed that over 20 Iranian naval ships have been destroyed since the conflict escalated.

“We are actively dismantling the Iranian Navy, reducing its operational capacity, capability, and ability to carry out missions,” Caine noted.

Pentagon officials explained that this naval campaign aims to protect maritime trade routes and prevent Iran from extending its military influence beyond its borders.

The operation is being conducted in collaboration with allied forces, including Israel, with US aircraft carriers and strike groups deployed throughout the region.

US military leadership stated that neutralizing Iran's naval capability is one of the primary goals of this operation, alongside the destruction of ballistic missile systems and military infrastructure.

The United States initiated Operation Epic Fury earlier this week following escalating tensions with Iran regarding missile attacks and Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

The conflict has rapidly expanded across various domains, including air, sea, and cyber, with US and allied forces targeting Iranian missile launch sites, naval bases, and military command structures.