Iran Warns Ukraine Over Caspian Ship Attack
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that an alleged Ukrainian attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea “cannot go unanswered,” raising tensions between Tehran and Kyiv.
Iran Condemns Caspian Vessel Attack
Iran said the vessel was struck in the Caspian Sea on Saturday, triggering an explosion that killed one sailor and injured another. The ship had reportedly departed from Russia’s Astrakhan region before travelling towards Iran.
Araghchi described the incident as a violation of the United Nations Charter and accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of ordering the attack. He also alleged, without providing evidence, that Ukraine acted at Israel’s request to draw Europe further into the conflict.
The Iranian foreign minister communicated Tehran’s position during separate telephone conversations with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Iran Summons Ukrainian Diplomat
Iran summoned Ukraine’s acting charge d’affaires in Tehran and formally protested against what it described as a hostile and criminal attack.
Iranian officials said the incident threatened the security of all countries bordering the Caspian Sea. Tehran warned that it would defend its national interests and pursue the matter through domestic and international legal channels.
Lavrov offered condolences over the sailor’s death and acknowledged assistance provided to the crew by authorities in Russia’s Astrakhan region.
Ukraine Claims Long-Range Strikes
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces had achieved significant results with long-range strikes in the Caspian Sea. He said the targets included vessels used for military cargo shipments involving Iran and a warship.
However, Zelenskyy did not specifically identify the commercial vessel cited by Tehran. Ukraine has not publicly provided evidence establishing that the ship was carrying military cargo.
Iran maintains that the targeted ship was a civilian commercial vessel and denies intervening in the Russia-Ukraine war. Kyiv has repeatedly accused Tehran of supporting Russia through military supplies, allegations Iran disputes.
