Iran considered launching a retaliatory strike against Ukraine following an alleged Ukrainian attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, but intensive diplomatic efforts have, for now, prevented a further escalation, according to a report by The New York Times citing Iranian and Western officials.
According to the report, Ukraine allegedly struck an Iranian merchant ship in the Caspian Sea on Saturday, killing one civilian crew member. Kyiv has repeatedly accused Iran of providing military support to Russia, including the supply of drones and other equipment used in Moscow’s war against Ukraine.
Following the incident, Iranian authorities vowed to retaliate. Officials familiar with intelligence assessments told The New York Times that Tehran was considering launching a ballistic missile fitted with a relatively small warhead toward Ukraine. The sources said the planned strike would have been largely symbolic, intended to demonstrate Iran’s response while causing limited damage.
Other officials cited by the newspaper said an Iranian strike would most likely have targeted one of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.
However, the report states that intensive diplomatic contacts over recent days helped reduce tensions and, at least for the time being, prevented the crisis from escalating into direct military confrontation between Iran and Ukraine.
Neither Iranian nor Ukrainian authorities have publicly confirmed the reported plans for a retaliatory strike.
