Iranian adviser to Supreme Leader Khamenei, Mohsen Rezaei, said Tehran had prepared strikes against three locations in Ukraine but suspended the operation after Kyiv apologized over what Iran described as an accidental attack on an Iranian-linked vessel.
Iran’s state-linked Fars news agency reported on Tuesday, August 4, that Rezaei said the planned action was intended as a response to an attack carried out by Ukraine several days earlier. He claimed Ukrainian officials later acknowledged the incident was a mistake and apologized, prompting Iran to cancel the planned strikes.
Rezaei did not provide details about the alleged ship incident, including the location of the attack, the type of vessel involved or the Ukrainian targets Iran had reportedly considered. Ukraine has not immediately confirmed the claims, and there has been no independent verification of the alleged incident or Iran’s reported plans for retaliation.
The comments come as Iran faces heightened tensions with the United States and other international actors over security issues in the Middle East, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route. Iranian officials have recently issued warnings over military pressure and maritime restrictions, while the United States has maintained a naval presence in the region, saying its operations are aimed at protecting commercial shipping and freedom of navigation.
Beyond the Gulf region, Iran’s relations with Ukraine have remained strained since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Western governments have accused Tehran of providing military support, including drones, to Russia for use in the war. Iran has denied supplying weapons for combat operations and has rejected accusations that it is supporting Russia’s military campaign.
Source: khaama.com
