Iran's Foreign Ministry accused Ukraine of attacking an Iranian cargo ship in the Caspian Sea, saying the assault occurred on the morning of July 25, causing an explosion on board that killed one sailor and wounded another.
Ukraine's charge d'affaires in Tehran was summoned to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, where officials lodged a 'resolute protest.' Tehran described the incident as a violation of the UN Charter and 'an act of aggression,' vowing to 'defend its interests without hesitation.'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier on July 25 reported 'very good results from long-range strikes in the Caspian Sea area,' saying vessels involved in transporting military cargo from Iran, as well as a warship, had been hit.
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) specified that drones struck cargo ships under international sanctions that were used to carry military supplies between Iran and Russia. The SBU also claimed strikes on an oil platform at the Filanovsky field and a missile boat.
Ukrainian media, citing the SBU, reported that the dry cargo ships Port Olya 2 and Begey were attacked. According to Ukraine's Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), both vessels were used to transport weapons — ammunition, shells, body armor and helmets — from Iran to Russia. The GUR asserted that the Iranian port of Amirabad is a key hub for shipping Iranian drones to Russia.
In its statement, Iran emphasized that it 'never interfered in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict' and called on the international community to hold Ukraine's leadership accountable.
Earlier, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources, that the U.S. administration warned Ukraine against attacking tankers not belonging to Russia, after Chevron's CEO raised concerns that recent Ukrainian strikes had affected the company's interests in Kazakhstan.