Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has strongly condemned what Tehran says was a Ukrainian attack on an Iranian-flagged commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, warning that the incident "cannot go unanswered" and accusing Kyiv of violating international law.

In a statement posted on X following separate phone conversations with European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Araghchi described the strike as a "blatant violation" of the United Nations Charter.

“[Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy has attacked an Iranian commercial vessel, killing a sailor. A blatant UN Charter violation done at Israel’s behest to drag Europe into its war,” Araghchi wrote.

He further warned that “what the freeloader in Kyiv did cannot go unanswered,” signaling that Tehran may pursue a response to the incident.

According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Ukrainian forces targeted the Iranian-flagged commercial ship in the Caspian Sea early Saturday. The vessel was reportedly traveling from Russia’s Astrakhan Port to Iran’s Anzali Port when its bridge was struck.

Iranian officials said the attack killed one sailor and injured another, while also causing significant damage to the vessel’s navigation bridge.

The alleged strike marks a significant escalation, as the Caspian Sea has largely remained outside the direct scope of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Tehran has condemned the incident as an attack on civilian maritime navigation and a breach of international law.

Ukrainian authorities had not publicly commented on Iran’s allegations at the time of publication. (ILKHA)