Iran says it 'does not seek escalation' with Ukraine
Photo: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
Iran says Ukraine has assured Tehran that it does not intend to escalate tensions following the attack on an Iranian vessel, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
What Tehran said
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke about his phone conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
According to Araghchi, the Ukrainian minister assured Tehran that the attack on the Iranian vessel was unintentional.
"Was assured by Ukrainian FM Andrii Sybiha that the attack on an Iranian ship was unintentional and Ukraine seeks no escalation," Araghchi wrote.
Iran's position
The Iranian foreign minister said Tehran is also not interested in further escalation.
"Iran does not seek escalation either," he said.
At the same time, Araghchi stressed that any attack on Iranian citizens or Iranian interests is unacceptable. He added that the damage caused must be compensated.
"But made clear any attack on our citizens or interests is unacceptable. There must be restitution for losses," the Iranian foreign minister wrote.
Background
Ukraine responded to Iran's statements about possible strikes by stressing the importance of maintaining diplomatic dialogue and preventing further escalation.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said he had held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. According to Sybiha, the conversation was frank, and diplomacy remains the key tool for direct communication even under the current circumstances.
At the same time, Sybiha noted that Ukraine is interested in preventing further escalation of the conflict.
Earlier, Iran's Foreign Ministry claimed that a Ukrainian strike on a commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea killed one sailor and injured another crew member.
Tehran described the incident as "an act of aggression" and a violation of the UN Charter, warning of the risk of further escalation. Following the incident, Ukraine's chargé d'affaires was summoned to Iran's Foreign Ministry and handed an official protest.
