NYT, citing Iranian and Western officials, reports Tehran considered a
retaliatory strike on a Ukrainian seaport after Kyiv struck an Iranian
commercial cargo ship in the Caspian Sea last Saturday, killing one crewman.
Sources said Iran was expected to launch a ballistic missile with a small
warhead at a Black Sea port for symbolic effect with limited damage. Following
Ukrainian diplomatic outreach, Iranian foreign minister Araghchi spoke by phone
with his Ukrainian counterpart; Araghchi said Ukraine’s foreign minister
described the attack on the vessel as unintentional, and diplomatic contact has
temporarily eased the threat.
