Iran was ready to strike three sites in Ukraine, top military adviser says

• Iran says it prepared strikes on three sites in Ukraine before suspending the response after Kyiv described the Caspian Sea incident as a mistake.
• Tehran says it is only negotiating with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz and warned US forces of casualties if a blockade continues.

Iran had prepared to strike three sites in Ukraine after accusing Kyiv of attacking an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, a senior military adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said.

Mohsen Rezaei told Iranian state television that Iran's armed forces had completed preparations for the strikes but suspended the operation after Ukraine said the incident was unintentional.

"We were ready to attack three areas in Ukraine," Rezaei said, according to Iran's state-linked Press TV. "But after they claimed it was a mistake, we halted our response to examine their claim."

Iran demands compensation
Last week, Tehran accused Kyiv of striking an Iranian commercial vessel carrying iron cargo in the Caspian Sea, killing one crew member and injuring three others.

Ukraine said it had carried out drone strikes on two Russian vessels carrying military cargo in the Caspian Sea.

Iranian officials had threatened retaliation, but tensions eased following a phone call between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha. Araghchi said Sybiha assured him that the strike on the Iranian vessel was accidental.

"Even if it was a mistake, it still requires compensation," Rezaei said.

Warning over Strait of Hormuz
During the same interview, Rezaei said Iran's focus was on negotiations with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz rather than talks with the US.

"If the blockade continues, US forces will face casualties," Rezaei warned, adding that Washington "must change its behavior and honor its commitments."