Iran considered targeting Ukraine with ballistic missiles after strike on Iranian ship – report

Iran reportedly considered retaliatory ballistic missile strikes against a Ukrainian Black Sea port after Ukraine attacked an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea, according to Iranian and Western officials cited by The New York Times. This potential action, which would have been a significant escalation given Iran's alliance with Russia, was ultimately avoided due to diplomatic efforts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian forces struck a Russian warship and vessels transporting Iran-linked military cargo. The Kremlin condemned the Ukrainian attack on the Iranian vessel, stating it should be considered an assault on Iran and emphasizing the need to neutralize the threat from Kyiv. Iran's Foreign Ministry also condemned the attack, reporting one sailor killed and another injured.