Reports said the Iranian warship IRIS Dena was sunk by a US submarine in waters close to Sri Lanka, leading to heavy casualties among its crew. The incident has sharply increased tensions in the region and raised serious diplomatic questions.

What has drawn attention is that IRIS Dena had earlier visited India in 2024 to participate in the Milan naval exercise. The multinational naval drill was hosted by the Indian Navy and included participation from several friendly countries. Iran’s presence in that exercise is now being discussed widely after the US strike.

Military analysts say there is no official evidence linking India to the attack. However, the fact that the vessel had docked in India months before the incident has triggered debate in regional media. Some observers believe the visit highlights how global naval diplomacy works, where rival nations sometimes participate in the same exercises despite political differences.

The US has not suggested any Indian involvement in the strike. The attack is being seen as part of rising confrontation between the United States and Iran. The sinking of IRIS Dena marks a serious escalation in naval tensions.

Read more: Nearly 90 dead after Iranian warship struck by US submarine off Sri Lanka

India has maintained strategic relations with both the US and Iran in different areas, including trade and regional security. Experts say New Delhi is likely to remain cautious and avoid taking sides openly in the conflict.

The incident has once again shown how quickly regional security situations can change. Naval cooperation events like Milan are meant to build trust, but global rivalries continue to shape real world outcomes.