Iran and Russia Step Up Contacts After Attack on Iranian Ship in the Caspian SeaIranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali said Tehran and Moscow remain in close contact following an attack on an Iranian merchant vessel in the Caspian Sea. According to the ambassador, the defense ministries of both countries, along with their foreign ministries and other government agencies, are coordinating closely on the issue. Iran Protests Attack on Merchant ShipOn July 25, Ukraine reportedly struck an Iranian commercial vessel, causing an explosion on board. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran has always served as the guardian of the Strait of Hormuz and will continue to do so. Earlier, Trump stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Putin had assured him they would not supply weapons to Iran.