The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has firmly reaffirmed its political support for military strikes led by the United States against Iran, highlighting that Tehran had “every opportunity to prevent a violent scenario.”
This statement, released on February 28, comes in the wake of coordinated strikes conducted by the United States and Israel.
Former President Donald Trump characterised these strikes as part of a broader campaign aimed at achieving regime change in Iran.
“The reason for the current events is precisely the violence and arbitrariness of the Iranian regime, in particular the murders and repressions against peaceful protesters, which have become particularly large-scale in recent months,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
The ministry stated the government stands by “the Iranian people and their legitimate desire to live in security, freedom and prosperity.”
“We wish security, prosperity, and freedom to the Iranian people, as well as stability and prosperity to the Middle East,” the statement from the Foreign Ministry reads.
“We thank everyone in the world who has supported and continues to support the Iranian people in this difficult time.”
Kyiv is particularly concerned about the impact of Iranian military support for Russia, especially the use of Iranian-supplied Shahed drone systems that have been employed in thousands of attacks against Ukrainian infrastructure since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022.
The Ukrainian foreign ministry condemned this military and political cooperation between Iran and Russia, labelling it a “gross violation of international law” that poses significant threats to global security.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously articulated a stance of conditional support for exerting pressure on the Iranian government, all while underscoring that diplomatic solutions remain the preferred course of action. Ukrainian officials contend that the recent wave of unrest in Iran, marked by protests and governmental repression, is indicative of growing internal instability that, in their view, further destabilises the region.
In retaliation for the initial US-Israeli strikes, Iran responded with missile attacks aimed at countries hosting American military bases in the Gulf region. This escalation has raised alarm bells about the possibility of a broader regional conflict, one that could envelop multiple nations throughout the Middle East.
Ukraine’s supportive statement highlights the country’s alignment with Western security policies during its ongoing conflict with Russia. Analysts indicate that Kyiv’s position is further shaped by Iran’s military assistance to Moscow, especially regarding the transfer of advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, which has significantly enhanced Russia’s military capabilities in its conflict with Ukraine.
