NEW DELHI (AP) — The United States and Iran have presented conflicting accounts regarding the sinking of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean on March 4, which has intensified tensions between the two nations. While Tehran claims that the vessel was unarmed and returning from a naval exercise, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has explicitly rejected this assertion, labeling it "false."

The U.S. military stated that the IRIS Dena was struck by a torpedo from a U.S. submarine while in international waters off the coast of Sri Lanka. An official from the Indian Navy, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, indicated that although the Iranian ship was not fully armed, it did participate in joint drills with the Indian Navy and other international warships, which typically do carry some form of ammunition during exercises.

Experts have noted that vessels attending such drills are usually not equipped with a complete arsenal of live munitions unless partaking in specific live-fire exercises. Rahul Bedi, an independent defense analyst, mentioned that the participating ships are often required to come unarmed and that this is a standard practice among many navies when conducting fleet reviews or similar events.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stated that the IRIS Dena did not carry any weapons and was specifically attending the exercise as a ceremonial guest of India. He accused the U.S. of targeting what he described as a "ceremonial" vessel.

After the sinking, the Sri Lankan navy managed to rescue 32 sailors, while 87 bodies were recovered. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth referred to the IRIS Dena as a "prize ship" that "died a quiet death," whereas Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the sinking as "an atrocity at sea."

The incidents surrounding the warship's sinking occur amidst rising tensions between Iran and the U.S., as well as Israel, indicating that the conflict is spreading beyond the Middle East. The Indian defense ministry confirmed the execution of live firings as part of naval exercises on the same date of the IRIS Dena's sinking.

Additionally, two other Iranian vessels, IRIS Bushehr and IRIS Lavan, are currently docked in Sri Lanka and India, seeking assistance from the respective countries. This series of events underscores the complex geopolitical context and underlying tensions in the region.

This incident not only highlights the ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions but also raises significant questions about naval practices and the rules governing international military exercises. As both nations continue to offer starkly different narratives, the situation remains precarious, and international scrutiny continues.