Caine said the United States has destroyed more than 20 Iranian navy vessels, and has “effectively neutralised, at this point in time, Iran’s major naval presence in theatre”. The frigate had sunk and only an oil patch remained when the navy rescue boats approached. Periscope footage of a US Navy submarine firing on and sinking an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean. Sri Lankan navy spokesman Buddhika Sampath said their operation was in line with Sri Lanka’s maritime obligations. “We responded to the distress call under our international obligations, as this is within our search and rescue area in the Indian Ocean,” Sampath told AFP.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 04, 2026 21:42 UTC