Iran vowed revenge after a Ukrainian drone attack on an Iranian vessel killed an Iranian sailor.
Ukraine launched several long-range drones targeting ships in the Caspian Sea, hitting at least one Iranian commercial vessel. Zelensky confirmed the strike on Saturday, saying Ukraine had achieved “very strong results with long‑range strikes in the Caspian Sea – including vessels used in military cargo shipments involving Iran, as well as a warship.” Iran said the vessel hit was purely commercial and demanded that action be taken.
“Zelensky has attacked an Iranian commercial vessel, killing a sailor. A blatant UN Charter violation done at Israel’s behest to drag Europe into its war,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X. “In calls with EU High Rep Kallas and FM Lavrov, made clear that what the freeloader in Kyiv did CANNOT GO UNANSWERED.”
Iran and Russia have developed a close strategic partnership over the past few years and have grown especially close after Russia faced diplomatic isolation after it invaded Ukraine. Trade and technological sharing have helped each in their respective wars, with Tehran’s supply of its Shahed drone design having proved to be a decisive move in boosting Moscow’s strategic air campaign.
The Caspian Sea allows Russia and Iran an easy trade route, including a route by which to ship military components. It was safe from Ukrainian attack until Kyiv vastly expanded its drone range over the past year or two.
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Ukraine and Iran, though not at war with each other, are each close to the other’s adversary, putting them in a close rival by proxy. Araghchi’s claim that the drone strike against the Iranian vessel was “done at Israel’s behest,” with the wider aim of bringing Europe into the war, shows the underlying tension of mixed alliances.
Israel has long had positive relations with both Russia and Ukraine due to the large number of Jewish emigres from each with connections back home. Israel’s ties with Russia have been strained in recent years, however, due to their conflicting relationships with the U.S. and Iran.