President Volodymyr Zelensky rejects Iran's claim of non-involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war despite Iranian vessel strike.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Iran has been an active participant in the Russia-Ukraine war from its earliest stages by supplying Moscow with drones and military technology. This comes in response to a warning from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who claimed that Ukraine's strike on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea "cannot go unanswered." Zelensky said Ukraine must acknowledge that Iran and North Korea have already attacked Ukraine by providing weapons to Russia without any preceding Ukrainian escalation. He noted that the Iranians provided weapons at the very beginning of the conflict, and he urged Ukraine to be prepared for any potential Iranian retaliation. While Iran claims to have remained neutral, Zelensky argued that thesese actions demonstrate Iran's involvement. Araghchi accused Ukraine of attacking the commercial vessel at Israel's behest to draw Europe into the conflict, though he provided no evidence for this claim. Zelensky emphasized the need for be careful to avoid opening a new front while remaining honest about the Iran's military support to Russia.