After visiting an exhibition of mementos and personal belongings of the martyrs of the Dena destroyer, which was attacked by a torpedo from the US Navy off the coast of Sri Lanka on March 4, Araqchi thanked the Iranian Navy and its commander for organizing a moving tribute to the fallen sailors.
He said the Foreign Ministry had been involved from the outset in handling the aftermath of the attack, including facilitating the repatriation of the martyrs' bodies, evacuating the wounded, and coordinating other necessary measures.
Calling the attack "undoubtedly a war crime," Araqchi said the Dena was hundreds of kilometers away from the battlefield and was on a training and ceremonial mission to attend an international naval event when it came under attack.
"The vessel had undertaken no military action, carried no weapons, and received no prior warning," he said, arguing that the strike could not be portrayed as a military achievement but instead reflected the enemy's "desperation."
He stressed that the crew members targeted were far from the conflict zone, had no role in hostilities, and were carrying out a routine mission while defenseless and unaware of the impending attack.
Araqchi announced that the Foreign Ministry's Legal Department, in coordination with the Iranian Navy, has begun collecting evidence and documentation related to the incident to pursue legal proceedings.
"The necessary arrangements have been made, preliminary studies have begun, and we will never allow the pure blood of these martyrs to go unanswered. We will neither forget nor forgive," he said.
The foreign minister also said the sacrifice of the Dena martyrs, together with other victims of the "criminal act of aggression," including children martyred in Minab, contributed to Iran's victory in the conflict.
He maintained that the attack on an unarmed vessel far from the battlefield demonstrated "cowardice rather than strength," adding that Iran's adversaries failed to achieve their objectives despite employing all their military capabilities.
Araqchi concluded by paying tribute to the fallen sailors and praising their families for the dignity and resilience they displayed during the funeral ceremonies.