Ukrainian FM tells Iranian counterpart country must stop supporting Russia’s war; Araghchi demands restitution for weekend strike

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha says he had a “frank conversation” with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi about a Ukrainian strike on an Iranian ship over the weekend.

Iran says the Caspian Sea attack killed an Iranian sailor, and has threatened revenge.

“I stressed that our goal is to avoid unnecessary escalation,” writes Sybiha on X. “I reiterated that all of Ukraine’s actions are aimed solely at defending our country from Russian aggression and never intended to target civilian vessels or people.”

Ukraine says the ship was carrying weapons to Russia.

“Our goal is to counter Russian aggression, which is the root cause of all incidents, and it is Russia who bears full responsibility for all provocations and casualties,” Sybiha continues, saying that he told Araghchi “to refrain from any escalatory steps, as well as to end any support for Russia’s war against Ukraine.”

“Our position remains unchanged: Europe and the Middle East deserve stability, security, and peace,” he says, subtly stressing the danger Iran poses not only to its own region, but also well beyond.

Araghchi offers a somewhat different account of the conversation, saying that Sybiha assured him that the attack “was unintentional.”

“Iran does not seek escalation either,” says Araghchi, “but made clear any attack on our citizens or interests is unacceptable. There must be restitution for losses.”