Russia’s Foreign Ministry has accused Ukraine of attacking an Iranian commercial ship in the Caspian Sea, describing the reported incident as an act of aggression. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the strike violated international law, according to the account cited in the report.
The dispute centers on an Iranian merchant vessel said to have been carrying civilian cargo. Iran’s Foreign Ministry reported on July 25 that Ukraine carried out a military attack on the ship in Caspian waters.
According to the same report, one sailor was killed and another was wounded in the attack. That casualty toll has added to the seriousness of the incident, which is now being framed by both Tehran and Moscow as a breach involving a civilian vessel.
The available report does not include further detail on how the alleged strike was carried out or any response from Ukraine. Even so, the accusation has heightened attention on the Caspian Sea and could deepen tensions involving Ukraine, Iran and Russia.
