Iranian Warships Embroiled in Indian Ocean Crisis Amid Rising Tensions
The Indian Ocean has become a hotbed of geo-political tensions, with three Iranian warships caught in the middle of the crisis. According to international media reports, one of the Iranian warships has sunk after being hit by a US submarine’s torpedo, while the other two have been granted emergency entry into Indian and Sri Lankan ports.
This development has taken place against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Iran, the US, and Israel, drawing in neighboring countries like India and Sri Lanka. Dr. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, has claimed that the US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln has abandoned the battlefield.
On March 4, the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was hit by a US submarine’s torpedo in international waters near the southern city of Galle in Sri Lanka, resulting in the sinking of the ship. US Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan confirmed the incident, stating that the US submarine had sunk the Iranian warship with a torpedo.
Following the incident, over 80 bodies were recovered from the sea, while more than 30 people were rescued. However, several individuals are still missing. The rescued personnel were taken to a hospital in Galle for treatment. The Iranian warship was on its way back from a naval exercise in the Indian city of Visakhapatnam.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ naval commander has stated that the US can “come and show” if it can extract its warships from the Strait of Hormuz. Another Iranian warship, IRIS Lavan, has been stranded in Indian waters due to technical issues, with India granting it permission to enter the port on March 1. The ship had approximately 183 people on board and is currently undergoing technical checks.
The third Iranian warship, IRIS Bushehr, has also requested assistance from Sri Lanka due to engine issues and is currently anchored in Sri Lankan waters. Despite the tensions, Sri Lanka has allowed the warship to enter its port and is currently holding it in custody. Over 200 individuals on board the warship have been transferred to the Welisara Naval Base, where they are undergoing medical checks and immigration procedures.
The UAE Ministry of Defense has stated that its defense system has intercepted 15 ballistic missiles and 119 drones today. The Lebanese Ministry of Health has stated that all the casualties are from the same family. Foreign news agencies have reported that India’s fuel reserves are increasing daily, and the country may consider purchasing oil from Russia if offered.
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have released a 3D video of a hidden underground bunker beneath the office of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, where he was reportedly targeted. A major annual Houston Iftar dinner was held in the US, with over 2,000 attendees. The US has expressed suspicion that Chinese hackers may be involved in a potential cyber attack on the FBI network.
In the Indian state of Karnataka, a person allegedly murdered his friend over a dispute worth 250,000 rupees and later used the same amount to buy gifts for his ex-wife. The US Department of State has waived the condition of Congressional review for the export of certain defense articles under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act.
In a domestic dispute in the Indian city of Bengaluru, a 27-year-old woman allegedly consumed poison and died. The Iranian military has stated that the US has not attacked countries that have not provided it with air bases to launch an attack on Iran. The Israeli Defense Minister has stated that the Lebanese government should follow Israel’s instructions before Israel takes further action. The UAE Ministry of Defense has stated that its defense system has intercepted 15 ballistic missiles and 119 drones today.
