Iranian Foreign Minister Abas Araghchi on Thursday accused the United States of committing an atrocity by sinking an Iranian navy ship off Sri Lanka and warned it would "bitterly regret" the precedent set.
"The US has perpetrated an atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran's shores. Frigate Dena, a guest of India's Navy carrying almost 130 sailors, was struck in international waters without warning," he posted on X.
"Mark my words: The US will come to bitterly regret precedent it has set,” he added.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said a torpedo from an American submarine sank the Iranian warship Tuesday night.
Sri Lankan authorities said 32 crew members were rescued, while its navy recovered 87 bodies.
Sri Lanka is trying to "safeguard lives" on another Iranian ship off its coast, the country's cabinet spokesperson said on Thursday, adding that the vessel was in the economic zone beyond the South Asian island nation's territorial waters.
"We are doing our utmost to safeguard lives," spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa said.
