- Ukraine's intelligence services said they had carried out drone strikes against 'cargo vessels under international sanctions' used to transport military cargo between Iran and Russia. President Zelensky confirmed long-range strikes in the Caspian Sea.
- Iran summoned Ukraine's charge d'affaires on Saturday, describing the strike as a 'hostile and criminal act' and formally protesting through diplomatic channels. Tehran also denied any involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- Iran's FM Araghchi accused Ukrainian President Zelensky of targeting the vessel, describing it as 'a blatant UN Charter violation' done at Israel's behest to drag Europe into its war.
- During calls with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Araghchi made clear that 'what the freeloader in Kyiv did cannot go unanswered'.
Iran has issued a stern warning to Ukraine following a deadly strike on one of its commercial vessels in the Caspian Sea. The incident, which occurred early Saturday, resulted in the death of one sailor and left another injured, prompting Iranian officials to label the attack a "hostile and criminal act."12
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strike, asserting that it constitutes a violation of international law and cannot go unanswered. In a post on X, he stated, "Zelenskyy has attacked an Iranian commercial vessel, killing a sailor," and characterized the act as "a blatant UN Charter violation done at Israel's behest to drag Europe into its war."67
The Iranian government has taken diplomatic steps in response, summoning Ukraine's charge d'affaires and formally protesting the attack. Araghchi emphasized the need for accountability, stating that the actions of the Ukrainian president, whom he referred to as a "freeloader," would not be overlooked.
The strike aligns with Ukraine's ongoing military operations, as Ukrainian intelligence reported drone strikes targeting cargo vessels under international sanctions, allegedly used for transporting military supplies between Iran and Russia. Despite the tensions, Iranian officials have denied any involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, asserting that "The Islamic republic has never intervened in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine."
“Araghchi accused Zelensky of a 'blatant UN Charter violation' done at Israel's behest, during calls with EU and Russian officials. Iran summoned Ukraine's charge d'affaires, calling the strike a 'hostile and criminal act,' while Ukraine said it struck cargo vessels under sanctions.”
