JAKARTA, Literasi Hukum – United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that a US submarine sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean with a torpedo. The statement was made amidst the escalating US–Israel–Iran conflict spreading beyond the Middle East. (news.detik.com)

In a separate report, Reuters also quoted Hegseth's statement that the sinking was the first sinking of an enemy ship by the US with a torpedo since World War II, while also affirming the reach of US military operations. (reuters.com)

Sri Lanka: 32 Crew Rescued, Hundreds Reported Missing

Sri Lankan authorities stated they had rescued 32 crew members from the IRIS Dena frigate. However, 148 other sailors were reported missing, and the chances of finding survivors were deemed low as the search continued. (news.detik.com)

According to Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, the frigate sent a distress call on Wednesday (March 4) in the early hours. Within less than an hour, rescue vessels arrived at the location approximately 40 km south of Galle Port. As the rescue team approached, the ship had already sunk, and only oil slicks remained on the sea surface. (aljazeera.com)

Sri Lanka affirmed that the operation was carried out in accordance with international obligations because the incident location was within their search and rescue area in the Indian Ocean. (aljazeera.com)

Pentagon: Strategic War Target is to Cripple the Iranian Navy

The Pentagon stated that one of the main objectives of the US–Israel war against Iran is crippling Iran's military capabilities, including naval power. Hegseth referred to the submarine attack as a “quiet death” and emphasized that the US “fights to win.” (time.com)

On the other hand, several international media reports highlighted this incident as a major escalation because it occurred in international waters near Sri Lanka and could trigger political and international legal implications. (theguardian.com)

Sri Lanka's Situation: Neutral, Yet Bound by Maritime Obligations

Sri Lanka affirmed its neutral stance and repeatedly encouraged dialogue to de-escalate the crisis. The local government also increased security around hospitals in the Galle region as the injured crew members were evacuated for treatment. (aljazeera.com)

This news report is a synthesis of information from several credible sources to present a verified, comprehensive, and balanced report to readers.