Kremlin Condemns Ukrainian Attack on Iranian Merchant Ship in Caspian Sea

The Kremlin has strongly condemned a Ukrainian attack on an Iranian merchant ship in the Caspian Sea, describing the action as "aggressive." Russian presidential spokesman Dmitri Peskov stated that such actions, in other times, could have been considered a "casus belli," underscoring the severity of the incident. Peskov also noted that Iran is a sovereign nation with the capacity to defend its rights and expressed concern over the potential expansion of the conflict's geography.

“

Those actions are aggressive (...) In other times, that would have been a casus belli.

The incident occurred on Sunday, prompting Iran to summon Ukraine's chargé d'affaires in Tehran to protest. Official sources reported that the attack resulted in the death of one sailor and injured another. Iran has vowed to "firmly" defend its security and national interests, promising that any attack on its citizens' lives or property would not go unanswered.

“

Iran is a sovereign nation that is extremely determined when it comes to defending its rights and has the corresponding potential.

In response to Iran's protest, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga reminded Tehran that Iran has been supplying Moscow with weaponry since the beginning of the war. Sybiga asserted that Iran is not in a position to claim victimhood or justify its threats with references to the UN Charter. This statement came after Iran's Foreign Minister had accused Israel of ordering the attack on Kiev.

“

We will see how events unfold, but the expansion of the geography of the conflict, of course, is not something we would like to see.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy further elaborated on Iran's role, stating in an interview that Iran had transferred new technologies, including thousands of Shahed drones, to Russia since the first year of the war, and later granted licenses for their production. Zelenskyy questioned what Ukraine should expect if Iran continues to support Russia militarily, implying that such actions necessitate a response.

“

Iran is not in a position to play the victim, let alone justify its threats with absurd references to the UN Charter.