A Torpedo in the Trade Lanes: Naval Warfare Returns to the Indo-Pacific

A U.S. submarine sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena with a torpedo off the coast of Sri Lanka, marking a stark return of naval warfare to a critical global trade route. The strike immediately ignited fierce online debate and widespread misinformation, including false claims that the warship was unarmed. In reality, the IRIS Dena was a well-armed, lawful military target under the international law of naval warfare. The engagement served as both a tactical victory and a strategic signal during a wider conflict, exposing a significant gap in public understanding of modern combat at sea.