In his evening video address on Saturday, August 1, Zelensky highlighted Ukraine’s past contributions to the security of its Gulf partners, particularly in defending against Iranian attacks. He said he now seeks similar support for the Black Sea region. “We discussed how the Emirates can help us in Europe and in the Black Sea region. It is about food security and the safety of sea routes,” Zelensky said.
The diplomatic talks follow a sharp deterioration in relations between Kyiv and Tehran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Ukraine of attacking an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, allegedly killing a sailor. Araghchi called the alleged attack a violation of the UN Charter and vowed that the incident would not go unanswered. Tehran even considered striking a Ukrainian port, but intensive diplomatic efforts managed to stabilize the situation.
The Iranian threat exacerbates the already tense situation in the Black Sea. Russian forces have intensified their attacks on civilian ships this summer. According to Zelensky, this campaign aims to completely block Ukraine’s established “grain corridor” and disrupt global food deliveries.
Relations between Kyiv and Tehran were already strained after Iran supplied Russia with Shahed combat drones and military technology. They worsened further after Ukraine supported Israeli strikes on Iran in June 2025 and officially designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. Additionally, Zelensky met with exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi in early 2026, publicly referring to the Moscow-Tehran alliance as an “axis of chaos.”
Source: www.kyivpost.com
