(TEHRAN) – Iran has stated it does not seek an escalation of tensions but is demanding compensation from Ukraine for damage caused to an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the remarks following a conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha. “The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha assured me that the attack on the Iranian ship was unintentional and that Ukraine does not seek escalation,” Araghchi said. “Iran also does not seek escalation, but made it clear that any attack on our citizens or interests is unacceptable. There must be compensation for the damage caused.”
The head of Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, initiated the call with Araghchi for a frank conversation amid rising tensions. Sybiha stressed that Kyiv’s objective is to avoid unnecessary escalation.
The diplomatic exchange follows an incident on Saturday that saw Iran summon the Ukrainian chargé d’affaires in Tehran. The move was a response to an attack on an Iranian merchant ship in the Caspian Sea, which resulted in the death of one sailor and injury to another, according to Anadolu.
On Sunday, Araghchi stated the incident “cannot remain unanswered,” calling it a violation of the UN Charter. He also accused Israel of trying “to drag Europe into its war.” Israeli Channel 12 reported, as cited by The Times of Israel, that the Ukrainian ambassador to Israel indicated the targeted ships are transporting Iranian weapons to Russia for its war against Ukraine.
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