Iran demands accountability from Ukraine over Caspian ship attack

TEHRAN, Iran — TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned Ukraine's attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea and said those responsible and their backers must be held accountable. Speaking by phone with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Araghchi called on the UN Security Council, the European Union and the international community to deliver a decisive response, Iran's Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by state media. The two officials discussed the need for diplomatic efforts to manage tensions in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz following the U.S. attack on Iran, according to the statement. The ministry added that Iran would not hesitate to defend its interests and national security under international law and the principle of legitimate self-defense, and warned that the Ukrainian leadership, its supporters and instigators would be held responsible for the consequences of the attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that ships allegedly carrying military cargo linked to Iran had been targeted, and that a warship was also struck in the operation. He posted the remarks on X. No further details on casualties or damage were immediately available.