The Iranian naval ship Iris Dina was on its way home after participating in a naval exercise organized by India when it was attacked by an American submarine on March 4.
They took selfies and took photos of the beach in India, unaware that they would be caught in the crossfire between Israel and the United States and Israel off the Sri Lankan coast days later. These were reportedly some of the 87 sailors aboard the ill-fated Iranian naval ship Iris Dina who died on Sunday after a US submarine raid.
Iris Dina participated in a naval exercise organized by India in the Bay of Bengal from February 18 to 25, and was on her way back, according to the exercise website and Sri Lankan officials.
Sri Lankan military rescuers responded to an early morning distress call from the frigate on Wednesday and found 32 survivors. Sri Lanka initially denied reports of the attack, but the attack was later confirmed.
Many of them are still missing after a US submarine raid on the Iranian warship.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Milan exercise on February 19, which also involved maritime patrol aircraft from France, Germany and the USA, as well as “friendly foreign navies”.
“Portraits, photos”
The sailors had disembarked in Visakhapatnam a few days earlier, between February 13 and 15. Foreign naval officers also traveled to see the Taj Mahal and Bodh Gaya. “They experienced the beauty of the Taj Mahal and the profound sanctity of the Mahabodhi Temple where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment,” a press note issued by the Defense Establishment in Visakhapatnam said.
The Iranian sailors on board the hit frigate spent most of their time ashore with a naval officer, and also visited the Rushikonda hilltop in Visakhapatnam known as Kailasagiri, the Sea War Victory Memorial, the Submarine Museum, and the Sankalp Arts Village on the outskirts of Vizag, according to an Indian Express report.
On the evening of February 19, a group of students from various colleges in Visakhapatnam, among thousands of spectators at the exercise, watched the sailors of the participating countries walk from the steps of the Beach View Holiday Home on RK Beach Road.
The hotel owner, who said he specifically remembered seeing the Iranian unit, saw the sailors taking selfies and taking photos of the beach.
“The students were among the thousands who came to watch the parade. I specifically remember seeing the Iranian contingent, although there were sailors from other countries as well. It was an amazing sight. They took selfies and took pictures of the beach… As a hotelier, I always hope that everyone who visits beautiful Vizag returns home safely,” the report quoted Suresh K, the hotel’s owner, as saying.
President Draupadi Murmu witnessed the exercise, which saw the participation of 85 ships, including 19 foreign warships.
Taj Mahal, Bodh Gaya visits
The sailors had disembarked in Visakhapatnam days before the opening of the exercise, according to the report, which added that foreign naval officers also visited the Taj Mahal and Bodh Gaya.
“They experienced the beauty of the Taj Mahal and the profound sanctity of the Mahabodhi Temple where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment,” a press note issued by the Defense Establishment in Visakhapatnam said.
Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazir was the chief guest for the last march on RK Beach Road.
The report quoted an official as saying: “There were visits by Iranian crew across the decks of Indian warships, and Indian Navy personnel boarded the Iranian ship. The young officers interacted with each other.” “They were a fun bunch. We all enjoyed their time here.”
“On their last day, they went sightseeing and shopping. They admired the glass walkway at Kailasagiri,” a marine guide said.
A naval officer described the participants as young men in their twenties, “astonished by the warm welcome they received.” “While shopping, they chose traditional Indian textiles for their families back home,” the officer said, according to the report.
The Indian Navy, which acknowledged the incident, said on Thursday that the Iranian ship was operating 20 nautical miles west of Galle in the SAR under Sri Lanka’s responsibility when it issued a distress call.
Upon receiving the information, the Indian Navy immediately launched search and rescue efforts and initiated a long-range maritime patrol aircraft at 10 am on March 4 to reinforce the Sri Lanka-led search efforts, the Indian Navy said.
“Another aircraft equipped with air-droppable liferafts was also kept on standby for immediate deployment. “INS Tarangini which was operating in the vicinity was deployed to assist in the rescue efforts and reached the search area by 1600 hours on 04 March 2026. By this time, the Sri Lanka Navy and other agencies had undertaken a search and rescue operation,” the press release said.
The ship INS Ekshak has also sailed from Kochi to enhance search efforts and continues to remain in the area to search for missing individuals as a humanitarian measure for distressed individuals, she said, adding that coordination with the Sri Lankan side on search and rescue efforts continues.
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