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Iranian diplomat slams Ukrainian official’s remarks about attack in Isfahan as suspicious

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani condemned the hostile and provocative position of the Ukrainian presidential office adviser

TEHRAN, January 30. /TASS/. Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has slammed Ukrainian presidential office adviser Mikhail Podolyak’s pronouncements about the recent attack on a military facility in Isfahan as suspicious.

"Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani condemned the hostile and provocative position of the Ukrainian presidential office adviser and slammed his statements about the recent hostile action against a military facility in Isfahan as suspicious," the Iranian foreign ministry said in a press statement posted on its website on Monday, adding that the diplomat demanded "official and clear explanations from the Ukrainian government."

"Being guided by the generally recognized norms of international law, Iran has always focused on ensuring national security and defending its interests and will not compromise on this matter with anyone," Kanaani was quoted as saying. He stressed that Iran "reserves the right to retaliate" against any parties participating in actions that run counter to international law.

On Sunday, Podolyak once again accused Iran of supplying drones to the combat operations zone in Ukraine and indirectly recognized Kiev’s involvement in Saturday’s drone attack in Isfahan. "Explosive night in Iran - drone & missile production, oil refineries. Ukraine did warn you," he wrote on his Twitter account.

The IRNA news agency reported on Sunday night that a powerful explosion rocked the city of Isfahan in central Iran. Later, the Iranian defense ministry said that a drone attack had been attempted on one of its centers on Saturday. One drone was downed and the other two hit defensive traps and exploded. No one was hurt and minor damage was incurred. However, Tehran did not say who it thought was responsible for the attack.

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