Ukraine Tells Iran It 'Does Not Want Escalation' After Ship Attack

▲ Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha

Ukraine, which attacked an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea, delivered a message to Iran on the 28th (local time) stating that it does not want an "escalation of tensions."

This move comes three days after news broke on the 25th of Ukraine's attack on Iran, as Kyiv activated diplomatic channels to manage tensions.

According to AFP, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X (formerly Twitter) that he held a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and had a "frank conversation."

Minister Sybiha stated, "Diplomacy means continuing direct dialogue even in difficult situations," adding, "I emphasized that our goal is to avoid unnecessary escalation."

Sybiha also stated that he reiterated to Minister Araghchi that "all of Ukraine's actions are solely to defend our country from Russian aggression, and there is never any intention to target civilian vessels or people."

Regarding the death of one Iranian crew member in this attack, he claimed, "Russia is the fundamental cause of all these events," and "Russia bears full responsibility for all provocations and loss of life."

In addition, Sybiha emphasized that he urged Iran to "refrain from any measures that could escalate tensions and immediately halt all support for Russia in its war against Ukraine."

Minister Araghchi also posted on X, stating that "(Minister Sybiha) made it clear that this attack was unintentional and that Ukraine does not seek an escalation of tensions."

He emphasized, "Iran also does not seek to escalate tensions, but we made it clear that any attack on our citizens or our interests is unacceptable," adding, "There must be compensation for the losses."

This marks the first official contact between the foreign ministers of the two countries since Minister Sybiha took office in September 2024.

In particular, this call took place amid heightened tensions after Ukraine attacked an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea, which serves as a core trade route between Russia and Iran.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on the 25th that "we struck a Russian warship and a vessel used to transport Iran-related military cargo in the Caspian Sea."

Following this, the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced that one crew member was killed and another injured in the Ukrainian attack, stating that "Iran will not hesitate to defend itself."

Ukraine and Iran have maintained an indirect confrontation amid the state of war.

Iran, considered a key ally of Russia in the Middle East, has supported Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 by providing Shahed drone technology.

Ukraine previously stated that following the US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran last February, it has provided drone defense support to Gulf countries facing retaliatory threats from Iran.

(Photo: Getty Images Korea, AP, Yonhap News)

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