Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that the reported Ukrainian attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea will not go unanswered. He described the incident as a violation of the United Nations Charter and said Iran would defend its national interests.
Araghchi made the remarks after separate telephone conversations with European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. During the discussions, he addressed the reported strike and its implications for regional security and maritime trade.
According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, the attack occurred early Saturday as the vessel sailed from Russia’s Astrakhan Port to Iran’s Anzali Port. Officials said the strike destroyed the ship’s bridge, killing one sailor and injuring another crew member.
Araghchi accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of responsibility for the reported attack. Furthermore, he said Iran would respond appropriately and continue protecting its commercial shipping and national security.
The Caspian Sea remains an important trade route linking Iran, Russia, and neighboring countries. Therefore, security incidents involving commercial vessels can affect regional transportation, trade, and economic cooperation.
Russia also condemned the reported attack during diplomatic contacts with Iranian officials. Moreover, Moscow stressed the importance of protecting commercial shipping and respecting international maritime law.
The Araghchi Ukraine ship attack has increased diplomatic tensions while drawing greater attention to maritime security in the Caspian Sea. Iran has indicated it will continue consultations with international partners as officials assess the reported incident and consider further steps.