Iran accused Ukraine of attacking an Iranian commercial ship in the Caspian Sea and causing the death of a sailor. In a statement on Saturday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry reported that a sailor was killed and another was injured in the attack, which it said was carried out by Ukraine.
The ministry stated that the attack, which caused an explosion on the ship, violated Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter and constituted an act of aggression that could escalate the conflict. Tehran cited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's public acknowledgment of the operation as proof of Kyiv's 'hostile and irrational' stance toward Iran.
Iran reiterated that it has never taken sides in the Russia-Ukraine war. The statement called on the UN Security Council and European countries to adopt a 'responsible approach.'
The Foreign Ministry also noted that, in accordance with international law and the principle of self-defense, Iran would not hesitate to protect its national security and interests. It was stated that Kyiv and its allies would bear full responsibility for the consequences of Ukraine's actions.
Meanwhile, on the same day, Ukrainian President Zelensky wrote on X that long-range Ukrainian strikes in the Caspian Sea had produced significant results. Zelensky claimed that the operation hit several Russian ships as well as vessels carrying military equipment affiliated with Iran.