Injured Iranian sailors stroll at Galle Nationwide Hospital premises the place they’re receiving remedy, following a submarine assault on the Iranian army ship, IRIS Dena, off the coast of Sri Lanka, in Galle, Sri Lanka on Thursday (March 5, 2026).
| Picture Credit score: Reuters
Three Australian army personnel have been on board an American submarine that sank an Iranian navy ship off Sri Lanka this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated on Friday (March 6, 2026).
The personnel have been on the submarine as a part of coaching preparations below AUKUS, a multi-decade defence pact with Britain and the US, Mr. Albanese advised Sky Information.
They didn’t participate within the assault, he confused.
“These are lengthy standing third nation preparations which were in place for an extended time frame,” he stated.
At the very least 84 sailors have been killed in Wednesday’s (March 4) torpedo assault on the IRIS Dena — the primary army strike far exterior the West Asian area since the US and Israel launched their struggle on Iran.
Tehran’s International Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the US of committing an “atrocity” and warned Washington would “bitterly remorse” the precedent set.
Australia has backed the Israeli-U.S. motion in opposition to Iran, saying it’s vital to forestall Tehran from buying nuclear weapons.
However officers have stated Canberra has no plans to participate in any army motion in opposition to Iran.
Requested on Friday (March 6) concerning the legality of the assaults, Mr. Albanese stated “that is a matter, in fact, for the US”.
“No Australian personnel have participated in any offensive motion in opposition to Iran,” he added.
Australian army personnel embedded in third nations’ defence belongings “act in accordance with Australian regulation, with Australian coverage”, Mr. Albanese stated.
Dozens of Australian troops have undergone placements on U.S. assault submarines based mostly out of Pearl Harbour below the AUKUS coaching regime, nationwide broadcaster ABC stated.
Beneath that pact, the Australian Navy goals to accumulate at the very least three U.S. Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines inside 15 years as a part of a technique to counter China’s army within the Pacific.
Printed – March 06, 2026 11:13 am IST