Ukraine Admits to Unintentional Attack on Iranian Ship, Tehran Demands Compensation

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Ukraine admitted the attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea was ‘unintentional’. Despite this, Araghchi is demanding compensation from Kyiv for the incident, which resulted in casualties and damage.

Araghchi, speaking via a statement on social media platform X on Tuesday (28/7), said he had spoken by phone with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha. ‘I have been assured by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha that the attack on the Iranian vessel was unintentional and that Ukraine does not want further escalation,’ Araghchi said.

While acknowledging Ukraine’s position, the Iranian foreign minister stressed that Tehran also does not seek escalation. However, he insisted that an attack on Iranian nationals or national interests is ‘unacceptable’ and that ‘compensation must be made for the losses incurred’.

The statement follows days of heightened tensions after Iran accused Ukraine of attacking an Iranian-flagged commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, killing one person and injuring another. Tehran had strongly condemned the attack as an act of aggression and previously accused Kyiv of carrying out the strike ‘on the orders of Israel’. Iranian authorities also summoned the Ukrainian chargé d’affaires in Tehran to deliver a formal protest and demand accountability.

Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Ukraine seeks to avoid ‘unnecessary escalation’ with Iran, emphasising that Kyiv’s military actions are solely aimed at defending the country against Russia and not targeting civilian vessels. President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously stated that Ukrainian forces targeted ships involved in transporting military cargo linked to Iran, but did not specifically identify the vessel in question.