Iran considered attacking Ukraine over ship strike in Caspian Sea, adviser to Khamenei claims

Iran had planned to strike three key targets in Ukraine with ballistic missiles but canceled the operation after Kyiv apologized for an attack on a ship in the Caspian Sea, according to Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iranian leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Rezaei stated in an interview with Iranian state broadcaster PressTV on Monday that the strikes were intended as a response to a Ukrainian attack on a vessel transporting cargo between Iran and Russia.

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Iran planned to strike three key targets in Ukraine, but called off the strikes after Kyiv "apologized" to the regime.

The Security Service of Ukraine announced on July 25 that it had struck "cargo vessels subject to international sanctions that were being used to transport military cargo between Iran and Russia." Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes as an "act of aggression" that "cannot go unanswered."

Speculation at the time suggested Iran might fire a ballistic missile as a show of strength, a move that would have significantly escalated tensions and potentially opened a new warfront, given Iran's alliance with Russia. However, diplomatic channels appear to have eased the situation. According to The Kyiv Independent, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha spoke with Araghchi on July 28, during which Ukraine reportedly conveyed that the strikes were unintentional and that neither side sought further escalation.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes as an "act of aggression" that "cannot go unanswered."

Sybiha stated after the reported discussion, "I reiterated that all of Ukraine's actions are aimed solely at defending our country from Russian aggression and never intended to target civilian vessels or people." He added, "Diplomacy is about direct conversation, even when it's difficult. I stressed that our goal is to avoid unnecessary escalation."

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I reiterated that all of Ukraine's actions are aimed solely at defending our country from Russian aggression and never intended to target civilian vessels or people.

Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency reported that Araghchi had told Sybiha that Kyiv should compensate Tehran for the damage caused by the attack. The incident highlights the volatile nature of regional security and the role of diplomacy in de-escalating potential conflicts.

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Diplomacy is about direct conversation, even when it's difficult. I stressed that our goal is to avoid unnecessary escalation.