Iran summons Ukraine's chargé d'affaires over Caspian vessel attack that kills one sailor: What we know

Hours after Ukraine reportedly launched an attack on an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea, killing at least one sailor and injuring another, Tehran summoned Kiev’s chargé d’affaires on Saturday (local time).

Citing Iranian state media, Anadolu Agency said Manouchehr Moradi, deputy foreign minister and director general for Eurasia, had summoned Kyiv’s chargé d’affaires and conveyed the Islamic Republic’s strong protest after what Tehran described as a “criminal” overnight attack by the Ukrainian military on the vessel.

Moradi also emphasized that Iran will firmly defend its national security interests and warned that attacks against the lives and property of the country’s citizens “will not go unanswered.”

Here’s what we know

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on Press TV, the strike occurred early on Saturday, leading to an explosion on board the vessel that resulted in the death of a sailor.

Earlier on Saturday, Iran accused Ukraine of attacking one of its merchant vessels in the Caspian Sea, condemning it as an act of aggression. The Islamic Republic also called on the UN Security Council, the European Union and the international community to hold those responsible accountable.

Ukraine confirmed the attack in the Caspian Sea

Meanwhile, Ukraine has officially confirmed a series of long-range strikes targeting Russian military logistics and supply chains, including naval operations in the Caspian Sea. In a post on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote: “Ukraine continues to apply long-range sanctions in response to Russian strikes. Last night, fighters of our defense forces hit targets in various regions of Russia that support this war. Again, the factory in Kirov was hit – the one that supplies components for weapons that Russia uses to attack our people. This is also about 1,200 kilometers from the oil border. Tyumen, logistics facility in Yekaterinburg and a fuel and lubricants depot in Rostov-on-Don, we have also achieved very strong results with long-range strikes in the Caspian Sea – including vessels used to transport military cargo involving Iran as well as warships.

Tehran promises retaliation, condemns the attack

Tehran condemned the attack in the Caspian Sea and warned Kyiv of retaliatory consequences. In a statement, the State Department said: “By attacking an Iranian merchant vessel, the Ukrainian regime not only committed an internationally wrongful act, but also sought to spread insecurity in a dangerous way.”

According to a statement, the State Department said: “Every party that is genuinely interested in peace and security in Eastern Europe and the surrounding regions should take a responsible stance on this dangerous action by the Ukrainian regime and hold the Ukrainian ruling authorities accountable for this criminal and provocative act.”

In addition, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghči condemned this attack in a phone call with the top diplomat of the European Union, Kaja Kallas. He “strongly and unequivocally” condemned Kiev’s military attack on an Iranian merchant vessel in the Caspian Sea and “called for a decisive response from the UN Security Council, the European Union and the international community and for the perpetrators and supporters of this crime to be held accountable.”

The Ukrainian president further claimed that Moscow was handing over its satellite observations of the Middle East to Tehran to allow the country to launch direct strikes in the region.

The latest incident is expected to further strain already tense relations between Tehran and Kyiv.