Iran says it canceled planned strikes on Ukraine

Iran canceled plans to strike three facilities in Ukraine despite completing preparations for the operation, according to Mohsen Rezaei, a senior military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Speaking to Iranian state television on Monday, Rezaei claimed the planned attack was called off after Kyiv expressed regret over an alleged attack on an Iranian merchant ship in the Caspian Sea on July 25, which Tehran says killed one sailor.

Rezaei also warned that Iran would not allow vessels to operate outside its designated waterways in the Strait of Hormuz, saying any enemy warship attempting to pass “illegally” would be targeted.

He further claimed that recent Iranian missile and drone attacks had disrupted US military plans and inflicted significant losses during the 17-day conflict, though he provided no evidence.

Following the alleged Caspian Sea incident, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on his Ukrainian counterpart, Andriy Sybiha, to provide compensation.