ISTANBUL

Australia’s Prime Minister on Friday confirmed that three Australian personnel were aboard a US submarine that struck an Iranian warship off Sri Lankan waters, killing at least 87, local media reported.

“We wouldn't normally confirm such an issue, but given our NSC meetings and the public interest, I can confirm that there were three Australian personnel on board that vessel,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Sky News during an interview.

He clarified that no Australians participated in any offensive action against Iran and said they were part of the AUKUS training rotation.

“So it's not just personnel, it's engineers, it's technicians, it's people learning those skills, whether they be in the United States or the United Kingdom,” Albanese added.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed Wednesday that an American submarine attacked the IRIS Dena, a Moudge-class frigate serving in the Iranian Navy’s Southern Fleet. Iranian officials said 130 sailors were aboard the warship, which was returning home after a naval drill off the Indian coast last month. Thirty-two sailors were wounded, and many others remain missing.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said Friday that his country will provide humanitarian assistance to a second Iranian ship near its territorial waters. He confirmed 208 personnel onboard will be transported to Colombo before being escorted to Trincomalee Harbor, located on Sri Lanka’s northeast coast.

"No civilian should die in wars. Our approach is that every life is as precious as our own," he wrote on US social media platform X. He vowed to maintain a neutral stance and urged all parties to commit to peace.

The attack on the Iranian warship comes amid an ongoing military campaign by Israel and the US against Iran since Feb. 28, which has killed over 1,000, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top military officials. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.