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Today Show covers the escalating Iran war as a US submarine historic sinking of an Iranian warship marks a shocking military milestone. The IRIS Dena went down off Sri Lanka yesterday with 87 confirmed dead and dozens still missing, igniting Tehran’s fury as the conflict spreads across the Middle East and beyond.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Historic Strike: First US Navy torpedo sinking of enemy vessel since World War II, delivered yesterday
- Casualties: 87 confirmed dead on Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, 32 rescued, approximately 60 still missing
- Location: Attack occurred in international waters off Sri Lanka’s southern coast in Indian Ocean
- Iran’s Vow: Tehran promises bitter retaliation as war expands to 15 countries in less than one week
Today Show Broadcasts Iran War Escalation Live
NBC’s Today Show brought viewers comprehensive coverage of the escalating military conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran on March 5, 2026. Reporter Richard Engel detailed the submarine strike on the Iranian naval frigate while military analyst Colonel Steve Warren provided expert analysis of what the attack signals for the widening war. The segment highlighted how US and Israeli forces continue to target Iranian military assets, leadership positions, and internal security infrastructure across multiple theaters.
The Today Show emphasized the historic significance of the torpedo attack, a military action unseen in combat for over 80 years. This milestone came as Iran launched expanding drone and missile attacks across the Gulf region, hitting targets in Qatar, Abu Dhabi, and Azerbaijan in retaliation for the escalating US-Israeli campaign that began on February 28, 2026.
Today Show covers Iran war escalation, US sinks Iran navy ship: Live updates today
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IRIS Dena Sinking Marks First Submarine Torpedo Attack Since WWII
The Iranian frigate IRIS Dena became history when a US Navy submarine fired a torpedo and sank the vessel in the Indian Ocean off Sri Lanka‘s southern coast. The attack killed 87 sailors according to confirmed bodies recovered and rescued personnel, making it the deadliest single naval incident of the expanding conflict. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the strike was deliberate and occurred in international waters, describing it as tactical progress in the war effort.
Sri Lanka’s navy rescued 32 surviving sailors and recovered 87 bodies from the ocean, but approximately 60 crew members remained unaccounted for and presumed lost. Hospital sources in the Sri Lankan port city of Galle reported receiving casualties, while search and rescue operations continued throughout the day. The IRIS Dena had been visiting friendly nations’ ports and was sailing in international waters when struck, according to verified reports.
Iran War Expands Across Middle East and Beyond
Iran vows revenge after the IRIS Dena attack, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi calling the strike an atrocity at sea conducted without warning. Tehran declared the United States will bitterly regret the precedent set by sinking a military vessel in international waters far from traditional battle zones. The Iranian military responded with waves of drone and missile strikes targeting countries across the region, including Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Azerbaijan, and even NATO territories.
| Development | Status as of March 5, 2026 |
| Days of Conflict | 6 days since February 28 launch |
| Countries Hit | 15+ nations report strikes or missiles |
| Death Toll | 940+ killed by US-Israel strikes |
| US Casualties | 6 American service members confirmed killed |
“Frigate Dena, a guest of India’s Navy carrying almost 130 sailors, was struck in international waters without warning. Mark my words: The U.S. will come to bitterly regret precedent it has set.”
— Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister
Americans Stranded as Thousands Flee Middle East War Zone
The escalating Iran conflict left thousands of American citizens stranded across the Middle East as commercial flights dwindled and regional airports closed. The State Department deployed charter flights and military aircraft to evacuate 17,500 American citizens already returned to safety, but many more remained in dangerous locations. Today Show interviews with stranded Americans revealed growing frustration with government response times and lack of evacuation assistance.
Citizens reported high hotel costs, communication breakdowns, and limited flight availability as they attempted to flee amid ongoing missile strikes. Some Americans hired private security firms to assist evacuation efforts when government resources proved insufficient. The Trump administration faced mounting criticism for inadequate evacuation planning despite days of warning that the conflict would spread beyond Iran’s borders.
What Happens Next as War Powers Resolution Fails in Senate?
The GOP-led Senate voted 47-53 against a war powers resolution that would have restricted President Trump’s ability to continue military operations against Iran without congressional approval. The vote fell short of the simple majority needed to pass, allowing the administration to continue strikes without additional legislative oversight. The House prepared for its own vote on similar restrictions as the conflict entered its second week of intense combat operations.
As Iran’s Revolutionary Guard assumes greater power in the wake of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death in earlier strikes, strategists questioned whether Iranian leadership would negotiate or escalate further. The Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor remained nearly empty as oil tankers and cargo vessels diverted away from missile threats, sending energy prices surging globally and threatening economic repercussions for the Trump administration’s economic agenda.
Sources
- NBC News – Live updates on Iran war escalation, warship sinking, and American evacuations
- Today Show – Coverage of US submarine strike on IRIS Dena with military analysis
- Reuters – Reporting on Iranian casualties and international water incident details
