Washington/Tehran, Mar. 21 : A nuclear submarine was damaged in a collision with another U. S. Navy vessel off the coast of Iran early Friday, leaving 15 U. S. sailors injured and 25,000 gallons of fuel spilling into the Strait of Hormuz.

The USS Hartford, a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, was fully submerged Friday when it collided with the transport ship the USS New Orleans, Fox News quoted a Navy official in the 5th Fleet, as saying.

No official reason has been given for the accident but a Defense Department official told FOX News that "it appears the two vessels were not in communication before they collided."

Fifteen sailors aboard the Hartford were slightly injured but able to return to duty. No injuries were reported aboard the New Orleans, according to the Bahrain-based 5th Fleet.

It was the Los Angeles-class submarine''s first deployment. (ANI)