Ukraine said on Friday it would downgrade diplomatic ties with Iran and strip the ambassador of his accreditation over what it called Tehran's “unfriendly” decision to supply Russian forces with drones.
Earlier in the day, Ukraine said it had downed four Iranian-made “kamikaze” unmanned aerial vehicles, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to state that Tehran was harming Ukrainian sovereignty and its citizens.
Ukraine and the US have accused Iran of supplying drones to Russia — something Tehran has denied.
“Supplying Russia with weapons to wage war against Ukraine is an unfriendly act that deals a serious blow to relations between Ukraine and Iran,” said a statement on the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
“In response to such an unfriendly act, the Ukrainian side has decided to deprive the ambassador of Iran of his accreditation and also to significantly reduce the number of diplomatic staff of the Iranian embassy in Kyiv.”
The message was handed to the acting ambassador, since the permanent envoy, Manouchehr Moradi, is not currently in Ukraine.
Military authorities in southern Ukraine said in a statement that they had shot down the Shahed-136 drones over the sea near the port of Odesa.
Experts say the drones would be useful to Russia for both reconnaissance and as loitering munitions that can bide their time in locating and engaging suitable targets.
Russia assailed at UN Security Council over Ukraine war — in pictures
-
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attends a meeting of the UN Security Council during which Moscow was strongly criticised over the war in Ukraine. Reuters -
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba speaks at the meeting, in which US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russian President Vladimir Putin should be held to account. AFP -
Mr Lavrov defended Russia's actions in Ukraine. Reuters -
Mr Blinken listens to Mr Lavrov. Russia has announced a "partial mobilisation" of citizens, calling up 300,000 reservists to fight in Ukraine. AFP -
Mr Lavrov at the UN. Russia has stated its willingness to use nuclear weapons to defend its territory. Reuters -
Mr Blinken speaks in New York. Reuters -
Mr Lavrov and Russian deputy foreign minister Sergey Vershinin, left, confer during the Security Council meeting on Ukraine. EPA -
Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly watches Mr Lavrov walk out while he is speaking. AP Photo -
Mr Lavrov leaving the chamber. Reuters -
Mr Blinken is deep in concentration. Reuters
