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🇰🇷 South Korea /Conflict & Security

Ukraine says it aims to de-escalate with Iran after ship attack

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Ukraine stated its goal is to avoid escalating tensions with Iran after attacking an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea, an action it claimed was defensive against Russian aggression.
  • Iran initially considered retaliation for the ship attack, which resulted in one crew member's death, but diplomatic mediation has since de-escalated the situation.
  • Ukraine reiterated that all its actions are defensive against Russia and denied any intent to target civilian vessels or personnel, blaming Russia for provocations.

Ukraine has conveyed a message to Iran, stating its objective is to avoid unnecessary escalation of tensions following a recent attack on an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea. The Ukrainian foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, communicated this via social media platform X, following a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian.

Ukraine's every action is solely defensive against Russian attacks, and we have no intention of targeting civilian ships or civilians.

— Dmytro KulebaUkrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated Ukraine's defensive posture after an attack on an Iranian ship.

Kuleba emphasized that all Ukrainian actions are solely defensive against Russian attacks and that there is no intention to target civilian ships or individuals. He further asserted that Russia bears responsibility for all provocations and casualties, including the recent incident. Ukraine has been accusing Iran and Russia of supporting each other's military operations.

All provocations and sacrifices are the responsibility of Russia.

— Dmytro KulebaUkrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba blamed Russia for the incident.

The incident occurred on Friday when Ukraine attacked an Iranian merchant ship in the Caspian Sea, resulting in the death of one crew member. Kuleba stated that during the call, he stressed the need to refrain from further acts of escalation and to cease all support for Russia's war against Ukraine, calling the war illegal and demanding its end.

We must refrain from any further acts of escalation, and all support for Russia's war against Ukraine must cease. This war is illegal and must end.

— Dmytro KulebaUkrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba's message to Iran regarding the war.

Amirabdollahian confirmed the call on X, noting that Kuleba clarified the attack was unintentional and Ukraine does not seek escalation. However, he also made it clear that Iran does not wish to worsen the situation but will not tolerate any attacks on its citizens or interests, demanding compensation for the damages.

The attack was unintentional and Ukraine does not seek escalation.

— Hossein AmirabdollahianIranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian relayed Ukraine's clarification after the ship attack.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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