(Video) US sinks Iranian warship with torpedo in first such attack since WWII, at least 80 dead

The US military has sunk an Iranian frigate using a torpedo, marking the first time since World War II that American forces have employed such a weapon in combat to destroy an enemy vessel, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed on Wednesday.

The targeted ship was the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, which was returning from a multinational naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal when it was struck. The vessel was carrying about 180 personnel.

Video released by the Pentagon shows the moment of impact, with a massive plume of water erupting as the torpedo hits the frigate. Hegseth described the operation as "epic," stating the ship was "confident it was safe in international waters" before being ambushed.

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Sri Lankan authorities, who launched a large-scale search and rescue operation following the incident, reported at least 80 dead and more than 100 missing. A Sri Lankan naval spokesperson later revised figures to 32 rescued, with casualty numbers still being verified.

Hegseth claimed Iran's military capabilities are being "erased by the hour," with additional US fighter jets and bombers arriving in the Middle East. Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine added that US and Israeli forces expect to achieve "full control" of Iranian airspace within days after successfully targeting Iran's air defense network.

With Iranian defenses degraded, the Pentagon announced it will shift focus to more intense and precise airstrikes on military and strategic targets inside Iran using GPS-guided bombs and advanced fighter jets.

Rescue operations continue in the Indian Ocean as international concern grows over whether this rare torpedo attack could expand the conflict to major global shipping lanes.