NYT: Iran considered retaliatory strike on Ukrainian port

Iran considered launching a retaliatory missile strike on a Ukrainian port after a Ukrainian attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, but ultimately backed away from the plan following diplomatic efforts, The New York Times reported, citing sources familiar with intelligence assessments.

According to the report, Ukraine struck an Iranian cargo ship in the Caspian Sea on Saturday, killing one crew member and injuring another. Tehran accused Kyiv of carrying out a "hostile and criminal" attack and vowed that it would not go unanswered.

Sources familiar with the intelligence said Iranian officials discussed firing a ballistic missile with a relatively small warhead at a symbolic target in Ukraine to demonstrate retaliation while limiting casualties and damage. A Ukrainian Black Sea port was reportedly among the potential targets.

The newspaper said Iranian officials hoped a limited strike would conclude the confrontation, while Western diplomats warned that Kyiv's response would be difficult to predict and could trigger a broader escalation.

On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the attack on the vessel as a violation of the UN Charter and said it "cannot go unanswered." He also accused Ukraine of attempting to draw Europe into Iran's confrontation with the United States.

Araghchi later held separate calls with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. After speaking with Sybiha, Araghchi said the Ukrainian minister had described the attack on the ship as accidental. He added that Iran was not seeking escalation but insisted that any attack on Iranian citizens or interests was unacceptable and that compensation should be provided.

According to The New York Times, diplomatic contacts helped defuse the crisis, leading Tehran to abandon plans for a retaliatory strike on Ukraine.