Fresh testimony from survivors of the Iranian naval frigate IRIS Dena has intensified international scrutiny over the March 4 attack that sank the vessel near Sri Lanka, with new accusations that delays by regional actors contributed to the tragedy. Commander Abuzar Zarri, the ship’s captain, has alleged that Sri Lanka indirectly enabled the attack by failing to grant timely safe harbor, leaving the vessel exposed in international waters.
Zarri, who appeared injured in an Iranian television report released on April 21, described how the Dena had been returning from the MILAN 2026 naval exercise in India when it came under attack. He confirmed that the ship had been disarmed as a condition of participation, carrying no missiles or torpedoes and therefore unable to defend itself. According to his account, the first U.S. torpedo struck at 3:35 a.m., crippling the ship’s propulsion system without causing immediate fatalities.
For the next 90 minutes, the crew attempted emergency procedures and gathered on the aft deck in preparation for evacuation. At 5:06 a.m., a second torpedo hit the same area where sailors had assembled, killing 104 crew members. Zarri alleged that the timing and targeting of the second strike indicated an intention to inflict maximum casualties rather than neutralize a threat.
The attack took place just minutes before the vessel was expected to enter Sri Lankan territorial waters near Galle, where it had hoped to find protection. Iranian officials had previously requested safe harbor for the Dena and its accompanying ships, but Sri Lanka did not grant immediate access. India later approved docking permission, but only one of the three vessels was allowed to enter port, leaving the Dena exposed.
Zarri and other Iranian officials argue that these delays played a critical role in the outcome, effectively preventing the ship from reaching safety. Critics in the region have echoed these concerns, suggesting that faster decisions by Sri Lankan authorities could have saved lives.
The diplomatic fallout has continued to grow, with Sri Lankan officials acknowledging external pressure over how to handle the aftermath, including the repatriation of survivors. India has also faced criticism for its handling of the docking requests, raising broader questions about regional alignment during escalating tensions involving Iran.
Survivors were eventually repatriated weeks later, but the controversy surrounding the sinking of the IRIS Dena remains unresolved. For Tehran, the incident is being framed not only as a military attack but as a case where diplomatic delays contributed to a deadly outcome at sea.
