SAEDNEWS: Ukraine's foreign minister claimed that during a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, he emphasized that Kyiv's objective is to avoid any unnecessary escalation of tensions.
According to Saednews, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, said he held a direct conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss recent tensions following an incident involving an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea.
Writing on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Sybiha said the discussion was candid and emphasized that diplomacy requires dialogue, even under difficult circumstances. He stated that Ukraine’s primary objective is to prevent unnecessary escalation.
According to Sybiha, he stressed that all Ukrainian military actions are intended solely to defend the country against Russia’s invasion and are not aimed at civilians or civilian ships. He added that this position also applies to Iran’s concerns regarding the reported death of one of its citizens and damage to a civilian vessel during the recent incident.
The Ukrainian foreign minister argued that Russia’s invasion remains the root cause of the conflict and asserted that Moscow bears full responsibility for the consequences of the war, including incidents that increase regional tensions.
Sybiha also called for avoiding further escalation and urged an end to any support for Russia’s military campaign against Ukraine, describing the war as illegal and saying it should come to an end. He concluded by stating that both Europe and the Middle East deserve stability, security, and peace.
According to Iranian officials, an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea was attacked in the early hours of Saturday, resulting in an explosion that killed one sailor and injured another.
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the reported attack, describing it as an act of aggression, a violation of the United Nations Charter, and a threat to regional security. The ministry reaffirmed Iran’s right to defend its national interests and security. Iranian authorities also summoned Ukraine’s acting chargé d’affaires in Tehran to formally convey the country's strong protest.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei likewise condemned the attack during a press briefing, calling it an illegal act and a dangerous provocation. He said that countries supporting Kyiv also bear responsibility and warned that the incident would not go unanswered by Iran.
Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, also denounced the reported attack, describing it as a criminal act. He stated that the vessel, identified as the Anna, was entirely civilian and was not transporting any military cargo, rejecting allegations to the contrary.
