US Navy Attacks Iranian Warship in the Indian Ocean; Leadership Silent

US Navy allegedly attacks Iranian warship after MILAN 2026 exercise. Questions arise over India’s silence as analysts call for a strong diplomatic response.

New Delhi: India recently hosted the large-scale international naval exercise MILAN 2026 in the Indian Ocean, bringing together nearly 60 warships from 72 participating nations. The exercise included naval forces from several major countries, including the United States Navy, the Russian Navy, and the Iranian naval warship IRIS Dena, which carried approximately 180 crew members.

The event was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while President Droupadi Murmu also attended the ceremony and paid tribute during the fleet review.

However, shortly after the exercise concluded, a serious incident reportedly occurred. As the IRIS Dena was returning to Iran, it was allegedly attacked by a US naval submarine approximately 40 nautical miles off the Sri Lankan coast.

According to initial reports, Sri Lankan Coast Guard units managed to rescue only 32 crew members from the sea. The remaining sailors are believed to have been killed in the attack. While some bodies have been recovered, many crew members remain missing.

Following the incident, a US spokesperson reportedly stated, “We are fighting,” while addressing questions regarding the attack.

The incident has drawn strong criticism from several analysts and commentators, many of whom have condemned the strike as a cowardly attack. They have also urged the Indian government to officially condemn the assault, particularly since the Iranian vessel had participated in a naval exercise hosted by India at the invitation of the Indian Navy.

So far, however, no official statement has been issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Ministry of Defence, or the Ministry of External Affairs regarding the reported attack.

Some commentators have alleged that the Modi government’s silence reflects diplomatic hesitation, arguing that India has historically maintained a balanced and neutral stance during global conflicts. Critics claim that the government has failed to demonstrate decisive leadership in responding to such an incident on the international stage.