The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has reacted strongly to recent statements from Tehran, which labeled Ukraine a “legitimate target” for Iranian forces. Spokesperson Georgiy Tikhiy emphasized that Iran has long supported the killing of Ukrainians by supplying drones and technology to the aggressor state.
Tikhiy criticized the absurdity of Iranian officials threatening Ukraine while invoking the right to self-defense as outlined in Article 51 of the UN Charter. He stated, “It is akin to a serial killer justifying their crimes by referencing the criminal code.” The ministry reiterated that the Iranian regime must be held accountable for its actions against both the Iranian people and other nations.
This response follows comments by Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s National Security Commission, who claimed that Ukraine had become a “party to the war” by providing drone support to Israel, thus making it a potential target for Iran. In a social media post, Azizi argued that Ukraine’s involvement in supporting Israel effectively turned its territory into a legitimate target under international law.
The backdrop to these escalating tensions includes ongoing military strikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iranian interests. In retaliation, Tehran has launched missile and drone attacks not only against Israel and U.S. military sites in the region but also against several neighboring countries perceived as allies of the United States.
Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine would assist Middle Eastern nations in defending against Iranian attacks, with Ukrainian experts set to work on the ground. Reports from the Financial Times indicated that the U.S. and an unnamed Gulf nation are interested in acquiring Ukrainian interceptor drones to counter Iranian Shahed drones. Zelensky has also proposed a “quiet exchange” of support with Middle Eastern countries in return for missiles for air defense systems.
As of March 9, following the initiation of U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran, Zelensky noted that Ukraine had received 11 requests for drones capable of intercepting attacks. These requests came from countries neighboring Iran, as well as European nations and the United States.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemned Iran's threats, asserting that the Iranian regime has long supported aggression against Ukraine. The situation escalated following Iranian claims that Ukraine's support for Israel makes it a legitimate target, amid ongoing military tensions in the region.