Iran weighed ballistic missile response to Caspian Sea ship incident before backing down

Iran had prepared attacks on three major Ukrainian sites but suspended those plans once Kyiv offered an apology to Tehran, according to Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, during a Monday interview with state broadcaster PressTV.

Rezaei explained that the intended strikes were retaliation for a Ukrainian assault on a vessel hauling goods between Iran and Russia on the Caspian Sea.

Ukraine's Security Service confirmed on July 25 that it had hit cargo ships under international sanctions that were moving military supplies between the two nations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi labeled the action an aggressive move that required a response, according to Reuters.

Observers anticipated Iran might launch a ballistic missile carrying a limited warhead toward Ukraine to demonstrate resolve, a step that could have widened the conflict given Tehran's ties to Moscow, The New York Times reported in late July.

Tensions later eased following a July 28 discussion between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Araghchi, The Kyiv Independent reported. Araghchi indicated Ukraine described the strikes as unintentional and that both sides wished to prevent further escalation.

Sybiha stressed that Ukraine's operations target only Russian aggression and were never meant to affect civilian vessels or individuals.

He added that he contacted Araghchi for an open exchange, noting that diplomacy involves direct talks even in challenging circumstances, and emphasized the aim of avoiding needless escalation.

Turkey's state news agency reported that Araghchi urged Kyiv to provide compensation for the damage inflicted.