The Delhi High Court has stayed proceedings in a criminal defamation case filed against Sudarshan TV and its editor Suresh Chavhanke in connection with allegations that his channel made false accusations against a madrasa. The case against Chavhanke was filed by Mohammed Tufail Khan
China said on Sunday (August 23, 2026) it was postponing its planned ambitious Chang'e-7 lunar mission, which was set to carry out explorations including searching for water ice on the moon. The Chang'e-7 spacecraft was originally set to lift off in the coming days from the Wenchang Space Launch
Canada’s Carney Puts His ‘No Deal Is Better Than a Bad Deal’ Doctrine to the Test The prime minister ’s approach has broad support from the Canadian public and his political opponents, but it isn’t without risks. Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 14:05:27 IST WSJ Prefer HTon Google Share via
A group of former cricket captains, including Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar and one of England's longest-serving skippers Sir Alastair Cook, have called on Pakistan to ensure its ex-PM Imran Khan be given proper care while in custody. The cricketer-turned-politician has been in jail since
Fewer than 20 commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz at the weekend, shipping data showed on Monday (August 24, 2026), as Iranian and U.S. blockades restrict traffic through the chokepoint for energy shipments. Four vessels crossed the strait on Sunday (August 23, 2026)
US torpedoes IRIS Dena in Indian Ocean: What the Geneva Convention says
US torpedoes Iranian ship IRIS Dena in Indian Ocean: What the Geneva Convention says on naval warfare
US torpedoes Iranian ship IRIS Dena in Indian Ocean: What the Geneva Convention says on naval warfare
32 sailors were rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy, who responded to the distress call from the Iranian frigate, which had a total of 180 people on board.
Updated on: Mar 05, 2026 2:49 PM IST By Danita Yadav Share via Copy link The ripples of the US-Iran-Israel conflict in West Asia reached Indian Ocean waters on Wednesday after a US Navy submarine sank IRIS Dena, an Iranian warship, off the coast of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan navy received a distress call from an Iranian ship, Iris Dena. (AP) "An American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo, quiet death. The first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War II," said US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. Track the latest on the US-Iran conflict here At least 87 people were killed, and several remain missing at sea. 32 sailors were rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy, who responded to the distress call from the Iranian frigate, which had a total of 180 people on board. Since the start of this war, the US Central Command has stated that Washington has sunk 17 Iranian vessels. IRIS Dena is the newest addition to this list. As the US escalates its attacks on Iran, including on Iranian vessels in international waters, questions regarding the legality of US' attacks have increased.What does the Geneva Convention say?
The Second Geneva Convention, adopted in 1949, lays down the foundation for countries and their mandates for conflicts at sea. The second part, which is also called the Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea, contains 63 articles, all of which have been ratified by the United States of America. A key mandate under this part of the Geneva Convention is humane treatment and search for the shipwrecked, which the US Navy did not engage in. As per Article 18 of the convention, parties to the conflict are required to take all possible measures to search for and collect the shipwrecked, wounded or sick. "After each engagement, Parties to the conflict shall, without delay, take all possible measures to search for and collect the shipwrecked, wounded and sick, to protect them against pillage and ill-treatment, to ensure their adequate care, and to search for the dead and prevent their being despoiled," reads the article. However, The US submarine departed the area shortly after the attack. Instead, the Sri Lankan Navy responded to the distress call from the Iranian ship. Sri Lankan officials also told the parliament that by the time personnel reached the site, the ship had sunk and was no longer visible on water. Also Read | Iranian ship near Sri Lanka requests for 'urgent port call' day after Iris Dena attackWhat does US law say?
Furthermore, the US Naval Handbook also stated that any mistreatment of the shipwrecked such as killing or wounding, can be amounted to war crimes. The Department of Defence's Law of War Manual also suggests that attacking neutral vessels without cause, and failing to protect prisoners of war are prohibited acts and can be considered a war crime. While there is no confirmation that the Iranian warship was armed, reports have claimed the frigate was armed with heavy guns, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles and torpedoes. Speaking to Reuters, legal experts have stated that the attack on IRIS Dena was not unlawful. However, it could be argued that if the US is attacking Iran to eliminate an imminent threat, a warship far from Iran, and in Sri Lanka's economic zone, would not be justified target unless it could be connected to threats raised by the current conflict. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Danita Yadav Danita Yadav is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times. Based in New Delhi, Danita serves as a pivotal voice in international reportage in the team. Operating under the mandate of delivering "without the noise", Danita excels at distilling complex geopolitical developments into lucid, objective narratives which prioritise factual accuracy over sensationalism. In HT, Danita has been recognised for her breaking news efforts and time-bound coverage of the Air India crash, which has driven over 2 million users to the website through trusted, factual coverage of the incident. Thriving in high-pressure editorial environments, Danita has also cultivated a reputation for navigating the nuances of global diplomacy and cross-border policy. With over four years of experience in the journalism industry, Danita has spent her years diving deep into the coverage of international relations and global conflicts. She has previously worked with the news teams at Outlook India and Times Network, covering a wide range of beats and topics, from education curricula and student protests to Indian politics and international conflicts such as the Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan wars. Danita earned her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. Beyond the newsroom and her love for international relations, you'll find Danita 'geeking' out over books, music and BTS. Her appreciation for global pop culture and storytelling also added to her unique perspective on the "soft power" dynamics that increasingly have shaped international relations in the ever-changing global order.Read More Us Iran War Iran Sri Lanka Us Iran Conflict Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia, and Bangladesh election result 2026 LIVE get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times. News / World News / US Torpedoes Iranian Ship IRIS Dena In Indian Ocean: What The Geneva Convention Says On Naval Warfare See LessThe ripples of the US-Iran-Israel conflict in West Asia reached Indian Ocean waters on Wednesday after a US Navy submarine sank IRIS Dena, an Iranian warship, off the coast of Sri Lanka.
"An American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo, quiet death. The first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War II," said US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth.
Track the latest on the US-Iran conflict here
At least 87 people were killed, and several remain missing at sea. 32 sailors were rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy, who responded to the distress call from the Iranian frigate, which had a total of 180 people on board.
Since the start of this war, the US Central Command has stated that Washington has sunk 17 Iranian vessels. IRIS Dena is the newest addition to this list.
As the US escalates its attacks on Iran, including on Iranian vessels in international waters, questions regarding the legality of US' attacks have increased.
The second part, which is also called the Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea, contains 63 articles, all of which have been ratified by the United States of America.
A key mandate under this part of the Geneva Convention is humane treatment and search for the shipwrecked, which the US Navy did not engage in.
As per Article 18 of the convention, parties to the conflict are required to take all possible measures to search for and collect the shipwrecked, wounded or sick.
"After each engagement, Parties to the conflict shall, without delay, take all possible measures to search for and collect the shipwrecked, wounded and sick, to protect them against pillage and ill-treatment, to ensure their adequate care, and to search for the dead and prevent their being despoiled," reads the article.
However, The US submarine departed the area shortly after the attack.
Instead, the Sri Lankan Navy responded to the distress call from the Iranian ship. Sri Lankan officials also told the parliament that by the time personnel reached the site, the ship had sunk and was no longer visible on water.
Also Read | Iranian ship near Sri Lanka requests for 'urgent port call' day after Iris Dena attack
The Department of Defence's Law of War Manual also suggests that attacking neutral vessels without cause, and failing to protect prisoners of war are prohibited acts and can be considered a war crime.
While there is no confirmation that the Iranian warship was armed, reports have claimed the frigate was armed with heavy guns, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles and torpedoes.
Speaking to Reuters, legal experts have stated that the attack on IRIS Dena was not unlawful. However, it could be argued that if the US is attacking Iran to eliminate an imminent threat, a warship far from Iran, and in Sri Lanka's economic zone, would not be justified target unless it could be connected to threats raised by the current conflict.
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: US-Iran-Israel conflict,US Navy submarine,Iranian warship,Geneva Convention,war crimes,us attack on iris dena
India had asked the United States not to allow reporters to ask questions during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France in June, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Saturday
8 hours ago
Former Australian captain Greg Chappell with the support of 20 other former international skippers appealed to the Pakistan Government led by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, to provide ‘humane treatment and proper medical care’ for Imran Khan
11 hours ago
The shock resignation of Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran earlier this month has left corporate India's top job vacant. But finding his successor will be no easy task for the country's most revered conglomerate, whose sprawling $300bn empire spans Jaguar Land Rover and Air India as well as
11 hours ago
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian defended a memorandum of understanding with the United States as the best way out of a stalled war. Meanwhile, the new head of the Islamic Republic's top security body warned, in a more forceful tone, of retaliation if neighbouring countries support U.S
11 hours ago
Authorities in China have launched an investigation into reports of formaldehyde being used to preserve the freshness of cabbages for human consumption. Officials in the northeastern Hebei province confirmed that they had verified footage showing individuals dipping cabbages in a solution before
11 hours ago
Three newborns died after a fire that broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit of a government hospital in Maharashtra’s Amravati district in the early hours of Monday, PTI reported. The fire broke out at the Amravati District Women’s Hospital around 3
11 hours ago
Imran's party demands immediate cardiac care for him at Shifa International Hospital Imran's party demands immediate cardiac care for him at Shifa International Hospital Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 11:10:49 IST PTI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Islamabad
11 hours ago
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s three-day visit to New Delhi in July 2026 for the India-Japan summit appears to have elevated relations between the two Asian countries into a fresh phase of strategic expansion. Ties had already undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade
11 hours ago
How well do COVID antivirals actually work? Not as well as we thought How well do COVID antivirals actually work? Not as well as we thought Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 11:11:50 IST PTI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Sydeny, If you're aged over 70
11 hours ago
On Sunday, in a post on X, Wali said the audio contained "explosive evidence" and claimed that Brar admitted his gang had ordered Nijjar's killing, alleging that the assassination was driven by an inter-gang feud. Ottawa: Three years after NIA designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed in
14 hours ago
Until recently, there would have been little to distinguish Vietnam's so-called Justice Tree from the hundreds of others lining the streets of Hanoi. Then the bouquets started piling up. It was here that former politician Nguyen Sy Cuong was driving his BMW in May last year when he veered into the
14 hours ago
Fast-fashion giant Shein says it plans to raise up to HK13.86bn (£1.3bn; $1.77bn) when its shares start trading on the Hong Kong stock market on 1 September. In a filing on Monday, Shein said it will offer nearly 280 million shares for between HK$47.60 and HK$49.50
14 hours ago
A fast-moving, wind-driven wildfire near Reno, Nevada, has forced about 42,000 people to evacuate, while another 45,000 have been urged to prepare to leave. The Hawk Fire has burned 15,040 acres, destroyed some homes and injured six people. Officials declared a state of emergency as the blaze
14 hours ago
Former Indian diplomat Navdeep Suri has raised concerns about the verification process under the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Suri, a retired Indian Foreign Services officer, went through the process in Punjab. It is among the 16 states where the voter roll revision is being
14 hours ago
A moderate earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 rattled eastern Japan, including the Tokyo area, early Sunday (August 23, 2026), injuring more than 20 people, most of them slightly, officials said. There was no danger of a tsunami. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency
1 days ago
Chinese humanoid robots broke records set by humans, including beating Usain Bolt’s 100-meter sprint world record, on the opening day of the Olympics-like World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Saturday (August 22, 2026). More than 2,000 humanoid robots were participating in the event
1 days ago
One afternoon in 1907, a young accountant named Chandrasekhar Venkata Raman walked into the laboratory of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science at 210 Bowbazar Street in Calcutta. Though he had a passion for the sciences, colonial India offered no stable careers in the field
1 days ago
Three first information reports were filed against 14 identified and more than 200 unidentified persons on Saturday in connection with clashes between the police and student protesters a day earlier, PTI quoted Ranchi Superintendent of Police Paras Rana as saying
1 days ago
Did an Amazon delivery guy assault a 71-year-old man in California? What we know about the attack and lawsuit A California lawsuit alleged that an Amazon delivery driver assaulted a 71-year-old man at an Elk Grove gas station. Updated on: Aug 23, 2026
1 days ago
‘Pure evil’: Videos of mothers splashing water at their kids spark outrage amid Lindsay Clancy trial Social media videos of mothers throwing water at their children have sparked concerns amid Lindsay Clancy's trial. Published on: Aug 23, 2026
1 days ago
The sister of jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday (August 22, 2026) filed a petition in the Supreme Court, accusing the government and senior officials of violating the top court’s order to shift him to a private hospital for medical examination and treatment
1 days ago
The United States and Canada have entered into uncharted territory. The longtime allies and economic partners, who have enjoyed free trade for decades, are now in an escalating trade war with no clear off ramp. And for Prime Minister Mark Carney
1 days ago
Harrisburg weather update: Special Weather Statement issued for central Pennsylvania as thunderstorms bring 40mph wind NWS has issued a Special Weather Statement for Harrisburg and surrounding parts of central Pennsylvania. Published on: Aug 23, 2026
1 days ago
The police in Maharashtra’s Latur have registered a first information report against Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party political campaign, for allegedly entering a government school without permission, threatening teachers and defaming the institution
1 days ago
The United States and Iran exchanged defiant messages ahead of Monday’s (August 24, 2026) scheduled announcement of new U.S. economic sanctions that could impact the Islamic Republic and Tehran’s most important trading partners including China
1 days ago
Fourteen people were killed in military air strikes at a monastery in Myanmar early on Friday, opposition fighters and a local rescue worker have said. All of those killed were elderly and a number of monks were also injured, the rescue worker told BBC Burmese, adding that the site was struck twice
1 days ago
The Armed Forces Tribunal on Thursday upheld an administrative censure for a brigadier who was commanding a sector of the Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district in December 2023 when three civilians died during an interrogation following a militant attack
1 days ago
