Iran Military Adviser: Kyiv Apologises, Strike on Ukraine Called Off

A senior military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader has stated that the country was poised to strike three locations in Ukraine in retaliation for an attack on an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea, but the operation was halted after Kyiv tendered an apology.

In an interview with Iranian state television on Monday, Mohsen Rezaei said the military had completed preparations for the assault before it was called off. The statement follows Iranian accusations that Ukraine attacked an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea on 25 July, resulting in the death of one crew member.

Following the incident, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, that Kyiv must pay compensation to Tehran for the damages incurred. Araghchi’s office said in a statement that the foreign minister also discussed the matter in a phone call with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

Rezaei further warned that Iran would not permit shipping in the Strait of Hormuz through unauthorised routes, threatening that vessels attempting to use what he termed “illegal lanes” would be targeted.