Iran called off attack on Ukraine after receiving 'apology' from Kiev

Istanbul (ANTARA) - Iran had been ready to launch attacks on three locations in Ukraine in retaliation for Kiev’s suspected attack on an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea, but abandoned the plan after Kiev conveyed an “apology”.

In an interview with Iranian national television on Monday, military adviser to the Supreme Leader Mohsen Rezaei said the Iranian military had completed preparations for the attack before the operation was called off.

Rezaei also warned that Iran would not allow shipping through the Strait of Hormuz via routes not recognised by the Iranian government. He threatened that vessels attempting to sail through “illegal routes” would be targeted.

On the same occasion, he asserted that Iran had inflicted heavy losses on US forces during the recent 17-day conflict.

Iranian missile and drone strikes had also thwarted American attacks in the region, Rezaei added.

The remarks came after Iran accused Ukraine of attacking an Iranian merchant vessel in the Caspian Sea on 25 July, killing one crew member.

Following the incident, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha that Kiev must pay compensation to Tehran for the damage caused by the attack.

The escalation of tensions in the Middle East followed attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel in February, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes against several neighbouring countries in the region.

Subsequently, the US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire in April, followed by the signing of a peace memorandum, achieved through Pakistani mediation in June, to end the military conflict and realise a peace agreement.

However, the agreement failed to hold and the two countries resumed attacks on each other for two weeks.

Source: Anadolu