US Submarine Sinks Iranian Warship in Rare Combat Engagement

Experts say the attack closely resembled a WWII-era US submarine torpedo strike.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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For the first time since World War II, a US Navy submarine has sunk an enemy vessel in combat. Video of the attack released by the Department of Defense showed remarkable similarities to a 1945 US submarine strike, according to a World War II battleship expert. The expert believes the submarine that carried out the attack was likely a Virginia-class attack sub, and that the black-and-white video suggests the engagement happened before dawn using an infrared lens.

Why it matters

This incident marks a significant escalation in tensions between the US and Iran, with the last time a US submarine sank an enemy ship occurring over 80 years ago during WWII. The expert analysis of the attack tactics and technology used provides insight into the US military's submarine warfare capabilities.

The details

The video released by the Department of Defense showed a US submarine firing a Mark 48 heavyweight torpedo that struck and sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean. The expert, Ryan Szimanski, curator at the Battleship New Jersey museum, said the attack appeared "remarkably similar" to when the USS Torsk sank two Japanese destroyer escorts with acoustic torpedoes in 1945. Szimanski believes the submarine that carried out the attack was likely a Virginia-class attack sub, based on the use of a photonics mast camera rather than a traditional periscope.

  • The attack occurred earlier this week in the Indian Ocean.
  • The last time a US Navy submarine sank an enemy vessel in combat was on August 14, 1945, when the USS Torsk sank two Japanese destroyer escorts.

The players

Ryan Szimanski

The curator at Battleship New Jersey in Camden, New Jersey, and a World War II battleship expert.

USS Torsk

A US Navy submarine that sank two Japanese destroyer escorts with acoustic torpedoes in 1945, marking the last time a US submarine sank an enemy vessel in combat prior to this recent incident.

Virginia-class attack submarine

The type of US Navy submarine that Szimanski believes likely carried out the recent attack on the Iranian warship, based on the use of a photonics mast camera rather than a traditional periscope.

Pete Hegseth

The US Secretary of Defense who held a press conference discussing the attack.

Dan Caine

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who provided details about the attack in a press briefing.

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What they’re saying

“Much like what we saw with this ship, or what I believe that I saw with the footage from this ship, the torpedo goes right up their tailpipe, homes in on their propeller sounds, and detonates at the stern of each of those ships, sinking them.”

— Ryan Szimanski, Curator, Battleship New Jersey (Business Insider)

“My guess is it was a Virginia-class attack submarine that did it because it seems like we're looking through a photonics mast, i.e., a camera on a pole, as opposed to a traditional submarine periscope.”

— Ryan Szimanski, Curator, Battleship New Jersey (Business Insider)

“My best guess is it happened before dawn because it looks like we're looking through an infrared lens. That's why it's a black-and-white video.”

— Ryan Szimanski, Curator, Battleship New Jersey (Business Insider)

What’s next

The US Navy and Department of Defense have not provided additional details on the specific submarine or personnel involved in the attack. The incident is likely to further escalate tensions between the US and Iran.

The takeaway

This rare submarine attack marks a significant escalation in US-Iran tensions, with the last time a US submarine sank an enemy vessel occurring over 80 years ago during World War II. The expert analysis provides insight into the advanced submarine warfare capabilities of the US military.