Following a US strike on an Iranian warship near Sri Lankan waters, Indian political and defense circles have expressed concern over regional security implications. The Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was reportedly returning to Iran after completing naval exercises in India when it was targeted by a US submarine.

The opposition Indian National Congress criticized the government, with leader Poonam Khehra questioning whether India has lost influence in its neighborhood or quietly ceded the region to Washington and Tel Aviv. Indian journalist Rajdeep Sardesai stated that Iran’s war has moved closer to India, noting that around 100 crew members went missing after the attack.

Journalist Suhasini Haider highlighted that the Iranian ship had been invited to India for military exercises and that the Ministry of External Affairs is reviewing the situation.

According to foreign reports, Sri Lankan authorities deployed the navy to rescue survivors. Thirty injured crew members have been transported to hospitals, while Sri Lanka’s deputy foreign minister confirmed that 80 personnel died in the strike. The incident has prompted scrutiny of India’s regional role as tensions escalate in the Indian Ocean.