Iran’s foreign ministry: Ukrainian drone strike on vessel was deliberate

Official Tehran has characterized the attack by a Ukrainian drone on an Iranian civilian vessel as deliberate and promised to take retaliatory measures.

The statement was made by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei on August 3.

According to Baghaei, the Ukrainian side — both in direct communication with the foreign minister and in official statements — insisted the incident was accidental. However, the Iranian side rejects this version.

“The evidence and very clear indications, including a direct statement by the president of Ukraine, point to the fact that this attack was deliberate,” said Esmail Baghaei.

The spokesman added that Tehran will be waiting for practical steps from Kyiv that would confirm the Ukrainian version that the strike was accidental.

“We will certainly take all necessary measures to hold Ukraine accountable and to ensure that such a mistake and crime on the part of Ukraine does not happen again,” Baghaei stressed.

The diplomatic standoff between Kyiv and Tehran has been ongoing for more than a week. The Iranian side has repeatedly stated its readiness to accept an explanation that the attack was unintentional, while at the same time insisting on compensation for the damage caused. The Ukrainian side is maintaining contact with the Iranian Foreign Ministry in order to prevent further escalation around the incident.

The outlet Informator previously reported that the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, Andriy Kovalenko, had stated that Iran has the capability to carry out a retaliatory strike, although there was no official confirmation that such an attack was being prepared at the time of publication. It was also reported that Tehran had considered striking a Ukrainian port in the Black Sea, but that those plans changed following a phone call between Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and the Iranian side.