Three Australians aboard US submarine that sank Iranian warship, PM confirms

2026-03-06 - 09:32

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Friday that three Australian military personnel were present on the US submarine that attacked and sank an Iranian warship near Sri Lankan waters, resulting in significant casualties. In an interview with Sky News, Albanese acknowledged the sensitivity of the disclosure but stated, "We wouldn't normally confirm such an issue, but given our NSC meetings and the public interest, I can confirm that there were three Australian personnel on board that vessel." Australians involved in training, not combat The prime minister took care to distinguish between the Australians' presence and participation in hostile actions, emphasizing they played no role in the offensive against the Iranian vessel. Albanese explained they were part of the AUKUS training rotation, stating "So it's not just personnel, it's engineers, it's technicians, it's people learning those skills, whether they be in the United States or the United Kingdom." The clarification seeks to manage domestic and international perceptions of Australian involvement in the widening conflict. Iranian warship struck with heavy casualties US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed Wednesday that an American submarine attacked the IRIS Dena, a Moudge-class frigate serving in Iran's Southern Fleet. Iranian officials reported that 130 sailors were aboard the warship, which was returning home following naval drills off the Indian coast last month. At least 87 sailors were killed, 32 wounded, and many others remain missing, marking one of the most significant naval engagements since the US-Israeli offensive against Iran began Feb. 28. Sri Lanka offers humanitarian assistance Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced Friday that his country would provide humanitarian assistance to a second Iranian ship near its territorial waters. He confirmed that 208 personnel from that vessel will be transported to Colombo before being escorted to Trincomalee Harbor on Sri Lanka's northeast coast. In a statement emphasizing his nation's neutral stance, Dissanayake wrote "No civilian should die in wars. Our approach is that every life is as precious as our own," urging all parties to commit to peace. Conflict continues to expand The naval engagement off Sri Lankan waters represents a significant geographic expansion of the conflict, which has already claimed over 1,000 lives including Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military commanders. Tehran has responded to the US-Israeli campaign with drone and missile strikes targeting Israeli territory and Gulf nations hosting American military assets, raising concerns about further escalation and the potential for the conflict to draw in additional regional and international actors.