The Pentagon has released stark footage showing a US submarine torpedo sinking Iran's frigate IRIS Dena during Operation Epic Fury.

The strike marks the first confirmed US submarine torpedo sinking of an enemy vessel since World War II.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the attack as a "quiet death," emphasizing overwhelming American tactical precision and lethality.

Officials say the frigate, part of Iran's Jamaran-class fleet, was returning from a high-profile international naval review in India.

The vessel was struck near Sri Lanka, roughly 2,000 miles from Iran, underscoring extraordinary US reach and operational flexibility.

US Central Command released the video deliberately, framing it as a psychological strike against Tehran's naval command and strategic confidence.

The footage shows the torpedo impact, followed by catastrophic structural failure, which rapidly sends the warship beneath the surface.

US officials confirmed that roughly 20 Iranian naval vessels have been destroyed during the campaign to neutralize maritime threats.

That campaign aims to prevent Iran from enforcing mining operations or restricting traffic through the critical Strait of Hormuz.

Military analysts say the video serves as a warning to both Iranian hardliners and regional observers assessing American capabilities.

By targeting a flagship-caliber vessel like IRIS Dena, the US signals no Iranian asset is beyond reach or protection.

The release also reinforces confidence among US allies, demonstrating credible power projection far beyond traditional operational theaters.

Officials stress the strike reflects measured escalation in response to Iranian aggression, not indiscriminate force projection.

Still, the message is unmistakable: US naval superiority can locate, track and destroy adversaries anywhere, at any time.