Iran says Ukraine called attack on Iranian ship unintentional

TEHRAN, Iran — TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha informed him that a strike on an Iranian vessel was unintentional and that Kyiv does not seek escalation. Araghchi said on X that Iran is also not pursuing escalation and that any attack on its citizens or national interests is unacceptable. The Iranian minister added that compensation must be paid for losses. Araghchi had told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the previous Sunday that Iran would respond to the targeting of an Iranian merchant ship in the Caspian Sea. Zelensky said on X on Saturday that ships in the Caspian Sea allegedly linked to Iran and carrying military supplies had been targeted. No further details on the incident or on possible compensation arrangements were immediately available.