Iran considered attacking a Ukrainian seaport in response to a strike on an Iranian cargo ship in the Caspian Sea. Active diplomatic contacts have now reduced tensions.
The New York Times reported this, citing Iranian and Western officials.
On Saturday, Ukraine struck an Iranian commercial cargo ship in the Caspian Sea, killing a civilian sailor. Iranian officials then vowed to respond.
Some people familiar with the intelligence expected Iran could launch a ballistic missile with a small warhead at Ukraine. Such a strike was intended to be symbolic and cause relatively limited damage.
Other officials believed that one of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports could be the likely target. At the same time, any missile launch from Iran against Ukrainian territory would amount to a sharp escalation.
On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the attack a violation of the U.N. Charter and said the incident could not go unanswered. However, on Tuesday, following diplomatic contacts, he held a phone call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
According to Araghchi, Sybiha described the attack on the cargo ship as unintentional. The Iranian minister said Tehran did not seek escalation but considered attacks on its citizens and interests unacceptable and demanded compensation for the losses.
Araghchi also discussed ways to reduce tensions in the region with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. According to Mehdi Rahmati, an analyst close to the Iranian authorities, some political figures in Tehran supported striking Ukraine, while others urged restraint.
Rahmati noted that Ukraine has warfare experience and logistical support from the United States and Europe, so opening a new front would not benefit Iran.
