Iran Warns Ukraine Attack ‘Will Not Go Unanswered,’ Reiterates Military Threats

TEHRAN, Jul 26: Iran's Deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Nikzad warned on Sunday that Ukraine's alleged attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea "will not go unanswered," as tensions between Tehran and Kyiv escalated.

His remarks came after Iran summoned Ukraine's chargé d'affaires in Tehran, accusing Kyiv of attacking the vessel.

"Iran will always exercise its legal right to defend its territorial integrity. Any location used as a launching point for aggression against our country and territory will undoubtedly be considered a legitimate target for our armed forces, and the Ukrainian government's reckless action will not go unanswered," Nikzad said.

The senior lawmaker also warned Ukraine, Britain, and Bulgaria against supporting U.S. military operations against Iran, saying any territory used to launch attacks on the country would be regarded as a legitimate military target.

Nikzad further said the rules governing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz would not return to their pre-war status and renewed calls for U.S. forces to withdraw from the region.