Tehran vows response to Ukraine’s attack on Iranian commercial ship
Deputy Speaker of Iran’s Parliament Ali Nikzad described Ukraine’s military attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea as a “reckless action,” saying that Kiev’s move will not go unanswered.
Speaking during a parliament session on Sunday, Nikzad said that Iran will always exercise its legal right to defend its territorial integrity, warning that any location used as an origin for aggression against Iran will be a legitimate target for the country’s armed forces.
The warning came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that Kiev had carried out long-range strikes in the Caspian Sea against vessels involved in transporting military cargo involving Iran, as well as a warship.
Ukraine's intelligence services (SBU), for their part, claimed that drone attacks had been carried out against "cargo vessels under international sanctions that were used to transport military cargo between Iran and Russia." Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday condemned Ukraine, saying that the attack on Saturday morning caused the ship "to explode, killing one sailor and injuring others." It also summoned Ukraine’s chargé d’affaires in Tehran to protest the “hostile and criminal” attack.
The ministry said in a statement that the attack reflected Kiev’s continued “irrational and hostile approach” towards Iran, asserting that the Islamic Republic will defend its national interests.
It described the attack as a violation of Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter and “an act of aggression” with potential escalatory effects.
“Any party genuinely concerned about peace and security in Eastern Europe and the surrounding regions should adopt a responsible position regarding this dangerous action by the Ukrainian regime and hold Ukraine's ruling authorities accountable for this criminal and provocative act,” the statement said.
The ministry also said the Islamic Republic would act in accordance with international law to protect its interests and security.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also in a phone conversation with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned Ukraine’s military attack, calling for a decisive response from the UN Security Council, the European Union, and the international community.
Araghchi urged international bodies to hold “the perpetrators and supporters of this criminal act” accountable.