Kremlin Says Iran Capable of Defending Its Rights After Alleged Ukrainian Drone Strike

The Kremlin has said Iran is fully capable of defending its sovereignty following the reported Ukrainian drone attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described Iran as an independent country that firmly protects its rights and possesses the necessary capabilities to do so.

Peskov accused Ukraine of pursuing an increasingly aggressive policy beyond its own borders, alleging that Kyiv had targeted multiple countries. He claimed Ukraine had previously attacked critical energy infrastructure linked to Germany and had now struck an Iranian commercial vessel. He also referred to Ukrainian drone attacks on facilities and terminals of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, noting that Kazakhstan is a joint owner of the oil pipeline network.

In separate remarks later on Monday, Peskov warned that the reported attack on the Iranian vessel represented a further escalation by Ukraine and could broaden the geographical scope of the conflict. An Iranian privately owned cargo ship carrying rolled steel sheets reportedly came under a Ukrainian drone attack in the Caspian Sea on Saturday. Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the incident as an “act of aggression,” calling it a violation of Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter and accusing Ukraine of maintaining what it described as an “irrational and hostile approach” toward Iran.