×

Iran foreign minister says Ukraine’s attack on Iranian vessel ‘cannot go unanswered’

By Thomson Reuters Jul 26, 2026 | 12:40 PM

July 26 (Reuters) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday a Ukrainian attack ​on an Iranian commercial ‌vessel “cannot go unanswered”.

Iran said the attack in the Caspian Sea resulted in an explosion that killed one ‌sailor ​and injured ⁠another.

Araqchi made the comments ⁠in calls with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei ​Lavrov, Araqchi posted on X.

Lavrov, in a statement posted ⁠on the Russian ⁠Foreign Ministry’s website, offered ​condolences in connection with the ​death of a sailor in the ‌attack.

Lavrov said Araqchi thanked local authorities in the Russian region of Astrakhan, where the ⁠vessel started its journey, for helping the crew “and stressed the need to ⁠put ‌an end to such ⁠adventures by the Kyiv ​regime”.

The ‌statement also said Araqchi ​informed ⁠Lavrov of “continuing diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tension in the Middle East”.

(Reporting by Yasmine Ghania; Editing by Kevin Liffey and ​Nia Williams)