Iran has strongly condemned a Ukrainian attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea that left one crew member dead and another injured, warning that it reserves the right to respond in accordance with international law.

Iran's Foreign Ministry said the attack triggered an explosion aboard the merchant vessel during the early hours of the day, resulting in the death of one sailor and injuries to another.

The ministry denounced the incident as a violation of Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of states, describing the strike as an act of aggression.

Tehran reaffirmed that it would take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and national security.

"Based on the fundamental principles and norms of international law, particularly the inherent right of legitimate self-defense, the Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to defend its national interests and security," the ministry said.

The Foreign Ministry also held Ukraine and its allies fully responsible for the consequences of Kyiv's "reckless actions," warning that any further escalation would rest solely with those responsible for the attack.

The incident came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian forces had carried out long-range strikes in the Caspian Sea, claiming they had targeted a Russian warship and vessels allegedly involved in transporting Iran-linked military cargo. While Kyiv presented the operation as part of its campaign against Russian military logistics, Iran said the vessel that was struck was a commercial ship, condemning the attack as an unlawful assault on civilian maritime navigation.

Iran also accused Ukraine of attempting to expand the Russia-Ukraine conflict beyond its existing theater by targeting vessels operating in the Caspian Sea, warning that such actions threaten regional security and international maritime stability.

The attack marks a significant escalation involving Iranian maritime interests and is expected to further strain already tense relations between Tehran and Kyiv. Iranian authorities have indicated that investigations into the incident are ongoing, while reiterating that the country will pursue all appropriate legal and diplomatic measures to protect its citizens and commercial assets. (ILKHA)