Kathmandu— Iran is demanding financial compensation from Ukraine following a deadly attack on one of its cargo ships in the Caspian Sea, asserting that Kyiv has failed to adequately explain the incident. The ship was struck last month, resulting in the death of one crew member and prompting condemnation from Tehran, which initially labeled the action as “reckless.” While Ukraine first defended the strike before later characterizing it as a mistake, Iran maintains that reparations are necessary and will pursue the matter independently if not provided.

Initial Condemnation and Ukrainian Response

Following the attack last month, Iranian officials strongly condemned the incident. Kyiv initially responded by stating that Iran had “no standing to pretend to be a victim,” but later walked back those comments, describing the strike as an error and expressing a desire to avoid escalating tensions with Tehran. Despite this revised stance, Iran remains unsatisfied.

Demand for Reparations

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated on Monday that despite hearing Ukraine’s explanation, Tehran considers the matter unresolved. “We heard what they had to say, but given the admission by senior Ukrainian officials that such an attack took place, they must certainly compensate us,” he said at a press briefing. He further warned that if compensation is not forthcoming, Iran will independently pursue its own course of action.

Conflicting Claims Regarding Cargo

Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel claimed the vessel, named Anna, was transporting components for drones and missiles. However, Tehran insists the ship and its cargo were entirely civilian in nature. President Zelenskyy previously praised strikes on vessels he alleged were involved in transporting military cargo, while also stating Ukraine did not want a “new front” with Iran.

Drone Technology and Regional Involvement

The incident occurs against a backdrop of accusations that Iran has supplied Russia with Shahed drones and related technology. Tehran acknowledged delivering a “small number” of Shahed-136 kamikaze drones to Russia in 2022, but stated these deliveries occurred before the escalation of the Ukraine conflict. Moscow maintains its Geran-2 drones are domestically produced, though believed to be based on Iranian designs. Kyiv has also sought involvement in the Middle East conflict and claimed to have secured agreements with Gulf states for assistance countering Iranian drones.

Iran has indicated it will independently pursue the matter if Ukraine does not provide compensation for the ship strike, potentially further complicating relations between the two countries.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.