Iran seriously considered retaliating against Ukraine after an alleged Ukrainian attack on an Iranian commercial cargo vessel in the Caspian Sea, but has stepped back from action for now following urgent diplomacy, The New York Times reported, citing Iranian and Western sources. The report, published July 29, said an Iranian civilian sailor was killed in the attack last Saturday.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the incident a violation of the UN Charter and said it could not go unanswered. Western intelligence sources indicated Iran might have considered a symbolic response using ballistic missiles with low-yield warheads against Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea. Analysts said any missile strike from Iran directly into Ukrainian territory could have expanded existing tensions into a major war.

The situation shifted after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha spoke by phone with Araghchi on Tuesday. Araghchi said Sybiha described the vessel attack as an unintentional incident, while Iran demanded appropriate compensation. Araghchi also discussed ways to reduce regional tensions with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Tehran-based analyst Mehdi Rahmati said some Iranian officials opposed opening a new military front against Ukraine.