Iran Tensions Escalate as Tehran Says It Prepared Strikes on Ukraine
Iran tensions have risen following statements from Iranian officials about planned but canceled strikes on Ukraine. A senior Iranian military official stated that Iran had prepared strikes on three targets in Ukraine in retaliation for a Ukrainian drone attack on an Iranian ship but canceled the operation after Ukraine apologized.
Iran Prepared Retaliatory Strikes on Ukraine
Major-General Mohsen Rezaei said the planned attack was suspended because Iran does not seek to expand the current war. [1] Rezaei stated that the Ukraine was pressured to attack the Iranian ship in the region and called immediately to say it had been a mistake. [1] He noted that Iran had already prepared an attack on three points in Ukraine. [1] The action was suspended after the apology from the government of Volodymyr Zelenski. [2] Rezaei explained that Iran was verifying the claim because it had prepared the strikes on three targets. [1] On 25 July, Iran accused Ukraine of attacking one of its commercial ships in the Caspian Sea. [2] Tehran described the attack as an act of aggression and accused Kiev of trying to expand the war from Ukraine. [2]
Rezaei's Warning on US Actions and World War III
Rezaei criticized the United States and President Donald Trump for expanding conflict in the Middle East. [1] He warned that the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz could trigger a Third World War due to energy issues. [1] Rezaei said the Gulf and the Strait are very dangerous fuses for a Third World War because of the energy question there. [1] He added that Trump is desperate and instead of resolving the conflict could lead the world to a Third World War. [1]
Iran Claims Success in Forcing US Retreat
Rezaei claimed Iranian retaliatory bombings against the US forced American forces to relocate from Qatar to Jordan and then to occupied territories. [1] He stated that the Centcom moved first from Qatar to Jordan and after the attacks on Jordan was transferred to the occupied territories. [1] Rezaei said US positions in Kuwait were ruined while forces in Erbil were evacuated. [1] He claimed the attacks made the positions of the US in Kuwait turn into ruins and in Erbil Kurdistan many American forces were evacuated. [1]
Zelensky's Response and Diplomatic Follow-up
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded that Iran and North Korea have already attacked Ukraine by supplying Russia with weapons, technology, and soldiers. [2] Zelensky said there were very good results from remote strikes in the waters of the Caspian Sea involving ships used for military cargo transport. [2] Iran's Foreign Ministry issued a threat to Zelensky. [2] Three days later Ukraine's foreign minister called his Iranian counterpart to express desire to avoid escalation. [2] On 28 July, Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha called Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi and assured him of Ukraine's desire to avoid escalation of the conflict. [2]
Trump Announces Pause in Planned Iran Strike
Separately, Trump stated that the US called off a planned major strike on Iran at the request of Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar. [5] He called current talks Iran's last chance to sign a good deal. [3] Trump said negotiations with Iran are underway and described it as Iran’s last chance to sign a good document. [3] The talks are taking place at the request of Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. [5] Trump said the United States had been prepared to launch a major military operation against Iran before regional allies urged Washington to give diplomacy another opportunity. [5] He added that many countries called and all wanted to give this a last chance. [5]
Reported Internal Iranian Political Pressures
Israeli media claimed that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a final ultimatum to President Masoud Pezeshkian. [5] The report claimed that if Pezeshkian offers to resign again the resignation will be accepted. [5] Iranian officials have strongly denied the report. [5] The report claimed Khamenei has thrown support behind Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Ahmad Vahidi on key issues related to the United States. [5] It also claimed there are no formal negotiations between Tehran and Washington at present but indirect communication continues through Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and US special envoys. [5]
What to watch next: Trump has described the ongoing talks as Iran’s last chance to sign a good document after the pause in a planned strike, while indirect communications continue through mediators.
