Tehran has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of trying to drag Ukraine into the conflict with Iran, after he announced Kyiv’s plans to send military advisers to the Middle East to help counter Iranian drones. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that such involvement would turn Ukraine into a participant in the alleged U.S. and Israeli “aggression” against Iran.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaïl Baghaï argued that any Ukrainian role of this kind would amount to complicity in what Tehran describes as American and Israeli aggression, warning that Iranians would “never forgive” such a move and that it would incur Ukraine’s international responsibility.
Iran’s latest missile and drone strikes
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced a 55th wave of attacks against Israel, targeting Tel Aviv, Ben‑Gurion Airport, facilities belonging to Israel Aerospace Industries, and hubs linked to aerial refuelling. The IRGC said the strike used heavy ballistic and hypersonic missiles as well as offensive drones, and framed it as part of the ongoing “Operation Sincere Promise‑4” aimed at core elements of Israel’s military infrastructure.
Stance on ceasefire and the Strait of Hormuz
Iran has reiterated that it will not accept a ceasefire as long as it sees the risk of renewed U.S. or Israeli strikes. Baghaï insisted that any truce could be exploited by Washington and Tel Aviv to prepare new attacks, and stressed that Tehran first needs guarantees that the United States and Israel will not plunge Iran and the wider Middle East back into conflict.
On the Strait of Hormuz, Iran maintains that the waterway is not fully closed to shipping, but only to vessels linked to what it calls “aggressors.” The Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed that ships from several countries have passed through the strait with Tehran’s approval, describing this as a “responsible” approach. He added that the Islamic Republic reserves the right to take measures it deems necessary to secure its national interests and prevent abuse of the choke‑point by hostile powers and their allies.
U.S. pressure and global energy concerns
Washington has called on its allies, including China, to help patrol the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for about one‑fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade. President Donald Trump is increasing pressure on partners to contribute naval forces to escort tankers, while threatening negative consequences for those who fail to act.
However, several countries, including Japan and Australia, have refused to send warships, citing constitutional or political constraints. Tehran has warned that any countries responding to the U.S. call risk deepening regional escalation.
Market response and military escalation
Amid heightened fears over supply disruptions, members of the International Energy Agency agreed to collectively release 400 million barrels from their strategic reserves, an exceptional move intended to stabilise global markets. Japan has moved first, drawing on roughly 15 days of national consumption to pre‑empt a potential oil‑price shock.
On the battlefield, the conflict continues to intensify: the Israeli military has carried out large‑scale strikes on infrastructure in and around Tehran and bombed the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold. Iranian authorities have denounced what they call “ecocide” after attacks on fuel depots in Tehran, warning of long‑term risks to soil and groundwater contamination.
Despite the scale of the fighting, the U.S. insists that indirect contacts with Tehran are ongoing, even as Trump states that a deal to end the war is not yet within reach. In parallel, Iran continues targeting U.S. and allied bases in the Gulf, in retaliation for operations believed to originate from those facilities