Tehran (HRNW)-\u00a0Iran has warned of retaliation following what it describes as a Ukrainian attack on a ship in the Caspian Sea, vowing that the incident will not go unanswered.<\/p>\n
According to the Iranian News Agency, Deputy Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Ali Nikzad said Ukraine\u2019s alleged actions were irresponsible and that Iran would continue to exercise its legal right to defend its sovereignty. He warned that any attack on Iranian territory from any location would be treated as a legitimate military target.<\/p>\n
The statement follows claims by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said Ukrainian forces had targeted a Russian warship and that an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea had also been struck. According to the report, the Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed that an Iranian ship had been targeted.<\/p>\n
In response, the Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the charg\u00e9 d\u2019affaires of the Ukrainian Embassy in Tehran, describing the incident as a hostile and criminal act. The ministry said the attack violated Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of states, and warned that the incident could further escalate regional tensions.<\/p>\n
The Foreign Ministry added that Iran would take measures in accordance with international law to protect its national interests and security.<\/p>\n
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi also condemned the alleged attack and called for a decisive response from the UN Security Council, the European Union, and the wider international community. During a telephone conversation with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, he urged international institutions to hold those responsible for facilitating and supporting the alleged attack accountable.<\/p>\n
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