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Mohsen Rezaei claims Iran prepared to strike three Ukrainian sites before canceling the operation following an apology from Kyiv.

Mohsen Rezaei, a senior adviser to Iran's supreme leader, stated that Tehran prepared to strike three specific sites in Ukraine as a retaliation for a Ukrainian attack on a merchant vessel in the Caspian Sea. The planned strikes were a response to the July 25 incident where Ukraine struck a vessel transporting military cargo between Iran and Russia that was evading international sanctions. Rezaei noted that the operation was canceled because of an apology from Kyiv, though he provided no specific evidence for the targets or the apology. Tensions between the two nations eased following a phone call on July 28 between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. During the conversation, Sybiha emphasized that Ukraine's actions are solely for defense against Russian aggression and were not intended to target civilian vessels. Araghchi reported that Ukraine described the strikes as unintentional and that neither side sought further escalation. The two nations continue to navigate a strained relationship, particularly as Iran remains a key military partner of Russia during the ongoing invasion.

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