Iran has released further details about the cargo vessel Anna, insisting that the ship targeted in a Ukrainian drone strike in the Caspian Sea was a civilian vessel carrying no military equipment.
Iran's Ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, strongly rejected Ukrainian claims that the vessel was transporting military supplies linked to Iran. He described the accusations as false and said the ship was engaged solely in civilian commercial activity.
"The Anna is a civilian vessel that was not carrying any military cargo whatsoever," Jalali said in remarks reported by Iran's state news agency IRNA.
Ukraine's Claims
On Saturday, Ukraine announced that it had struck several Russian-linked targets in the Caspian Sea, including what it described as ships transporting military supplies associated with Iran.
Iran, however, dismissed those claims, arguing that the continued existence of the vessel proves Ukraine's allegations were unfounded.
"The Anna still exists and can be seen, which clearly demonstrates that the claims about its cargo are inaccurate," Jalali stated.
Attack in Russian Territorial Waters
According to the Iranian ambassador, the drone strike occurred inside Russian territorial waters.
He explained that the Anna was anchored approximately five kilometers from the mouth of the Volga River, waiting for severe weather conditions to improve before continuing its voyage when it came under attack.
Jalali condemned the strike as a criminal act and said Russia, as a close partner of Iran, is expected to respond firmly.
"Russia, as a friendly nation to Iran, is expected to deliver a strong response to these criminal attacks," he said.
Iran Warns of Consequences
Iran's Foreign Ministry also reacted strongly to the incident.
A ministry spokesperson said the attack on a commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea would not go unanswered, signaling that Tehran views the strike as a serious escalation despite maintaining that the ship had no military role.
Growing Regional Tensions
The incident adds another layer of tension to the broader conflict involving Russia and Ukraine, while also drawing Iran more directly into the diplomatic dispute.
With Kyiv maintaining that it targeted vessels linked to Russian military logistics and Tehran insisting the ship was purely civilian, the conflicting narratives are likely to intensify international scrutiny over military operations in the Caspian Sea and their wider geopolitical implications.
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