Iranian President Pezeshkian said today (17th): "Today, the Iranian people are deeply saddened by the 20 brave officers and 84 naval personnel who sacrificed their lives on the 'Dina' warship. These brave men of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy will have their names as eternal as the towering peaks of Dina Mountain. I once again condemn this inhumane crime and extend my deepest condolences to the families and comrades of the victims."

This is the official response regarding a recent major maritime conflict.

Key details of the incident: On March 4, the Iranian frigate "Dina" was sunk by a U.S. submarine using a torpedo in the southern waters of Sri Lanka, resulting in the deaths of 104 crew members, including 20 officers. This marks the first time since World War II that the U.S. has used a torpedo to sink an enemy warship.

Iran's reaction: President Pezeshkian expressed his condolences in a statement, calling the attack an "inhumane crime" and praising the fallen heroes as immortal as the "Dina Mountain." The navy commander warned of a deadly retaliation at "unpredictable locations."

At the time of the incident, the ship was returning home after participating in a military exercise hosted by India. The U.S. claims the strike was legal, while Iran insists it was an "unprovoked massacre."

Why did the Iranian authorities wait several days before making an official statement?

After the attack, Iran's first priority was to rescue survivors, recover bodies, and coordinate transfers. The foreign minister immediately communicated with Sri Lanka and India. It wasn't until March 8 that two friendly ships safely arrived at port. Only after completing these urgent tasks did the president issue a national mourning statement.

Initially, there was confusion in the information (it was first reported that 87 people had died). The authorities needed to carefully verify the lists and identities. Only after confirming the final number of 104 casualties (including 20 officers) on March 8 did the senior leadership make an official statement, which carried more weight.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1859924988178432/

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