Iran accuses Ukraine of deadly attack on Caspian commercial vessel

Tehran has accused Ukraine of launching a "hostile and criminal" attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, an incident that resulted in the death of one sailor and injuries to another. Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Ukraine's chargé d'affaires in Tehran on Saturday to lodge a formal protest, according to state news agency IRNA.

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hostile and criminal

The ministry asserted that the attack was acknowledged by Ukrainian leadership and characterized it as a reflection of Kyiv's "irrational and hostile approach" toward Iran. Iran warned that it would defend its national interests and stated the incident violated Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, potentially escalating the Russia-Ukraine war.

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irrational and hostile approach

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed the matter with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas. Araghchi's office reported that he "called for a firm response from the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, and the international community, and for the perpetrators and supporters of this criminal act to be held accountable."

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called for a firm response from the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, and the international community, and for the perpetrators and supporters of this criminal act to be held accountable

Adding to the complex geopolitical landscape, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on X that Kyiv had achieved "very strong results" with long-range strikes in the Caspian Sea, targeting "vessels used in military cargo shipments involving Iran, as well as a warship." Zelenskyy also alleged that Russia had provided Iran with satellite imagery of Gulf states and US military sites. The incident follows a period where Iran has supplied Russia with drones for use in the Ukraine conflict.

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very strong results