According to information from Indian sources, the ship was participating in naval exercises organized by New Delhi and was “defenseless”
The Iranian warship, which was destroyed by an American torpedo on Wednesday, was “defenseless” and taking part in an international naval exercise as a guest of the Indian navy, according to reports.
Former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal said: “The Iranian ship would not be where it is if we had not invited it to participate in our Milan exercise.” Sibal added that because he was participating in an exercise, “he was defenseless.”
Indian politician Supriya Shrinate said on social media: “These Iranian sailors parading at an event in India were our guests. They were invited by us.”
“An American submarine attacked their ship and killed them as they returned home.”
Shrinate also criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not speaking out about the attack.
Some 74 nations, with the exception of the United States, would participate in the Milan 2026 exercises. Exercise rules stipulated that no ammunition was allowed on participating ships.
Iran now plans to send a second warship toward Sri Lanka, the site of the attack that killed at least 87 sailors.
Naval exercise rules stipulated that no ammunition was allowed on participating ships.
Wednesday’s attack was “the first sinking of an enemy ship by torpedo since World War II,” according to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who did not reveal the name of the ship but said those killed died a “peaceful death.”
Around 32 survivors from the frigate IRIS Dena were rescued, some of whom had serious injuries, as stated by Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.
Most of the ship’s crew are believed to be missing, and documentation suggests the vessel’s capacity was 180 people.
The US attack, which occurred without warning and in international waters, angered Iranian authorities.
American forces “perpetrated an atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles off the coast of Iran,” said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi, adding that the ship was “a guest of the Indian Navy.”
A second Iranian ship, manned by more than 100 sailors, was spotted just outside Sri Lanka’s territorial waters.
Officials reportedly fear a similar attack and have requested an urgent port call, which has not yet been approved.
Iran has since warned of possible retaliation, with Aragchi stating: “Remember my words: the US will bitterly regret the precedent it set.”
Originally published by Middle East Eye on 05/03/2026
By Peter McNamara
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2026/03/05/navio-de-guerra-iraniano-atingido-pelos-eua-nao-transportava-municao/
