By The South Asia Times

TEHRAN - Iran’s foreign minister said Thursday that about 130 sailors were aboard an Iranian naval frigate struck by US forces in international waters near Sri Lanka, describing the incident as an “atrocity at sea.”

Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the Iranian warship IRIS Dena was attacked roughly 2,000 miles from Iran’s shores while sailing through international waters after participating in naval activities near India.

“The U.S. has perpetrated an atrocity at sea,” Araghchi wrote on the social media platform X, adding that the frigate, which had been a guest of the Indian Navy during recent maritime drills, was hit without warning. He warned that Washington would “bitterly regret the precedent it has set.”

Sri Lankan authorities said the attack occurred on Wednesday in waters south of the island nation. Officials confirmed that at least 87 sailors were killed and 32 others were wounded, with the injured currently receiving treatment at Karapitiya Teaching Hospital.

Search and rescue teams are continuing operations off the southern city of Galle to locate more than 100 sailors reported missing after the strike.

The United States confirmed responsibility for the attack. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said American forces targeted the Iranian warship, which had participated in a multinational naval exercise off India’s coast last month.

The IRIS Dena, a Moudge-class frigate operated by the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, had recently taken part in the MILAN 2026 Naval Exercise before heading back toward Iran when the incident occurred.

The strike comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East after the United States and Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran earlier this week, triggering retaliatory drone and missile strikes by Tehran against Israeli targets and U.S.-linked facilities in the region.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan officials said another Iranian vessel is currently operating within the country’s maritime zone. Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa told parliament that the ship was located inside Sri Lanka Exclusive Economic Zone, though not within territorial waters, according to daily Mirror.

“The government is aware of the matter and is taking necessary steps to address the situation, ensure regional security and protect lives,” Jayatissa said.

Iran’s ambassador to India also said Tehran has not received any communication from New Delhi following the incident, despite the frigate having recently participated in naval activities hosted by India.