Recently, after the Ukrainian army attacked an Iranian merchant ship, tensions between Ukraine and Iran have escalated. On July 27 local time, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that Iran had already attacked Ukraine by providing military assets to Russia.
On July 27th local time, Zelenskyy was interviewed by the British channel Sky News. Screenshot of the Sky News video interview
According to Fox News, on July 27th local time, during his visit to the UK, Ukrainian President Zelensky told Sky News chief reporter Stuart Ramzy that Iran was directly involved in the conflict from the beginning of the Russo-Ukraine war by providing Russia with drones, technology, and production licenses. "Iran has been supplying Russia with new bases and technology since the first year of the war. It's the 'Shahd' drones. They provided thousands of these drones in the first year of the war, and then they also provided licenses."
Zelenskyy claimed that Iran has armed Moscow to enter the conflict. "What have they done? Did they attack us? I think so. They have already done so, and war is already underway."
Zelensky said: "We must be cautious and do everything possible to avoid opening up new fronts in any way. But we must be honest. The Iranians and the North Koreans have already attacked us."
He stated that he hopes Iran will not expand its support for Russia, but warned Ukraine to be prepared. “I hope they won’t increase these attacks, but we have to be prepared for everything. We can’t trust these people, because from the very beginning, without any information or signs of escalation on our side, Iran provided weapons, and North Korea did the same—drones, missiles, and artillery shells.”
On July 25th, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that an Iranian merchant ship was attacked by Ukrainian long-range unmanned systems in the Persian Gulf, resulting in an explosion. At least one crew member died and several others were injured. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs urgently summoned the Ukrainian envoy to Iran, accusing Kiev of launching 'hostile and criminal acts'.
Subsequently, Zelenskyy stated on social media that Ukrainian forces have carried out "long-range precision strikes" on ships involved in the transportation of military supplies in the Black Sea area, as well as Russian naval vessels.
On the 26th, Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Ghalibaf stated that this action blatantly violates the United Nations Charter and was carried out under Israeli instigation, with the goal of dragging Europe into war.
Alагжи said that during the conversation with European Union High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Catherine Green and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, it was made clear that the actions of 'that sycophant in Kiev' would 'not go unpunished'.
