TEHRAN: Iran has summoned Ukraine’s chargé d’affaires in Tehran to lodge a formal protest following an alleged attack on an Iranian merchant vessel, describing the incident as an act of aggression and asserting its right to defend its national interests.
According to Iran’s state news agency, the Foreign Ministry said the attack caused an explosion aboard the commercial ship, killing one crew member and injuring another.
In its protest, the ministry condemned the alleged targeting of a civilian merchant vessel, calling it a violation of international law and maritime security principles. It said Iran reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its citizens, commercial interests and national security.
The diplomatic protest came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that Ukrainian forces had struck a Russian vessel in the Caspian Sea that he alleged was transporting weapons to Iran.
Iran rejected that claim, insisting the vessel was a commercial ship and describing the attack as unacceptable.
As of publication, Ukraine had not issued an official response to Iran’s protest.
The reported incident, the nature of the attack and the competing claims made by both sides could not be independently verified. Analysts say the episode may further strain diplomatic relations between Iran and Ukraine while raising concerns over maritime security and regional trade.
