Iran Considered Attack on Ukraine Following Caspian Sea Incident, Says NYT

According to the New York Times, Iran weighed a retaliatory strike against Ukraine after an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea was targeted by Kyiv, though the plan was ultimately dropped.

The Caspian Sea Incident and Retaliatory Plans

Tehran considered an attack on Ukraine after an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea was struck by Kyiv on Friday, the “New York Times” reported on Wednesday, citing Iranian and Western sources. Ultimately, Iran abandoned this plan.

Some “NYT” insiders expected Iran to launch a ballistic missile with a small warhead toward Ukraine to execute a symbolic retaliation while causing relatively little damage. Other officials claimed the target was likely one of the Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea.

Escalation Risks and Diplomatic Warnings

Any missile launched from Iran into Ukraine would mean a drastic escalation, threatening to expand the conflict and further entangle both wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the American daily emphasized.

Iranian officials hoped the incident would end with this retaliatory attack, but Western representatives warned that it was difficult to predict how Ukraine would react.

Statements from Foreign Ministers

On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Tehran would not leave the drone attack unanswered. Araghchi accused Ukraine of wanting to expand the war and President Volodymyr Zelensky of acting on Israel’s orders.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha spoke with Araghchi, emphasizing that Ukraine’s goal is to avoid unnecessary escalation. The Ukrainian minister described the attack on the cargo ship as unintentional, Araghchi conveyed on social media.

“Iran also does not seek escalation, but has made it clear that any attack on our citizens or interests is unacceptable. Losses must be compensated,” the minister added.

Araghchi also stated that he spoke with European Union diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas about “ways that can help reduce tensions in the region.”

Analyst Perspectives and Zelensky’s Visit

Mehdi Rahmati, an analyst with close contacts to the Iranian government, said that while some Iranian politicians called for a strike on Ukraine, others advised restraint.

“Ukraine is not a small, insignificant country. It has experience in waging war and logistical support from America and Europe. We will gain nothing by creating a new front of war,” Rahmati told the New York newspaper.

However, it remained unclear how long these tensions would remain under control.

Zelensky arrived in Washington on Tuesday to meet with President Trump and attend a memorial service for Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who supported Ukraine in the war with Russia.

Zelensky promised to provide intelligence about Russia’s support for Iran in the war with the United States. Ukrainian officials reported that Russia provided Iran with satellite imagery of American bases in the Middle East, the “NYT” reported.

More information soon.