Satellite view of Iran (with mask). This image was compiled from data received by the LANDSAT 5 & 7 satellites., Iran, Middle East, Asia, True Color Satellite Image With Mask (Image via Planet Observer/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
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Iran summoned Ukraine’s ambassador to Tehran on Sunday to protest an attack on an Iranian merchant ship in the Caspian Sea, as war in the Middle East threatens to spill over into the conflict in Ukraine.
Iran said the attack left one sailor dead and several wounded. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country complained to the charged d’affaires of Ukraine in Tehran on Sunday morning and “expressed a strong protest against Iran’s ‘act of hostility and crime.'” reported the Islamic Republic News Agency of Iran.
In an article on X highlighting Ukraine’s attacks on Russia’s remote areas, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that his country’s military “obtained strong results from long-range strikes in the Caspian Sea – including vessels used to transport military supplies including Iran, as well as a warship.”
Russia has long used Iranian-designed Shahed drones in its war against Ukraine, a weapon analysts sometimes call a “poor man’s cruise missile.”
But Ukraine’s latest offensive, combined with Saudi military strikes on Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen following the rebel group’s attack on Red Sea vessels in recent days, represents an escalation of the Middle East’s tensions.
Air Defenses in Saudi Arabia reportedly intercepted two ballistic missiles from Yemen on Saturday.
The war in the Red Sea and the Caspian Sea took place during a temporary suspension of US strikes on Iran after 13 straight nights of airstrikes.
US President Donald Trump has suspended the attack on Iran for the time being to allow more room for negotiation, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told Fox News on Sunday.
“You’re giving speeches some space, you’re giving a little space,” Waltz said.
The New York Times cited administration officials as saying that Trump has shelved, at least for now, plans to dramatically increase US military strikes against Iran, amid concerns about the downing of dozens of Patriot anti-missile interceptors and other air defense weapons.
The US military said on Saturday that its military blockade of Iran was “remaining fully effective” but did not explain why it had suspended its strikes. There have been no reports of attacks from Iran in neighboring countries.
Blockage of ships
US Central Command said on Saturday that its naval blockade against Iran remains in full effect.
“Since July 25, CENTCOM has diverted 12 commercial vessels attempting to close the blockade, disabled 2 that did not comply, and boarded 2 to ensure full compliance,” it said in a post on X late Saturday.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said it had “established absolute authority over the Strait of Hormuz.” In a Sunday morning post on the Telegram social media platform, it said six ships were forced to stop following warnings in the past 24 hours.
While official high-level talks between the US and Iran have stalled, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said technical talks with Oman in the Strait of Hormuz continued over the weekend.
Oil prices fell on Friday on reports that Pakistan is looking at resuming talks between the US and Iran.
Brent crude futures, the international benchmark, fell nearly 4% to close at $96.78 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures lost 3% to settle at $89.31 per barrel.
Three sources told Reuters that Pakistan’s effort to revive US-Iran talks was backed by China.
– Reuters contributed to this report.
