Ukraine has successfully completed a complex diplomatic operation to return four of its citizens detained in Iran. This was announced by Georgiy Tikhyy, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The sailors, who were on board the container ship Epimonidas, have been released and have already left Iranian territory.
Incident in the Strait of Hormuz
The events leading to the detention occurred in April of this year. In the Strait of Hormuz, forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stopped several vessels, including the Greek container ship Epimonidas. On board were four crew members — Ukrainian citizens.
As soon as the detention became known, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Consular Service Department, and the Embassy of Ukraine in Greece immediately got to work. The identities of the sailors were established, contact was made with their families, the shipowner, and other interested parties. The goal was one — to ensure the safety of Ukrainians and find ways to bring them home.
Diplomatic Work and Results
"Since then, active and persistent work has continued by the Ukrainian side with all relevant institutions and parties. For now, we are happy to report that these efforts have ended with a positive result. Four of our citizens have already left Iranian territory," emphasized Georgiy Tikhyy.
All four sailors are now safe and have been reunited with their families. Their health condition is assessed as satisfactory. The success of the operation was made possible thanks to the coordinated actions of Ukrainian diplomacy, partners from other countries, and representatives of the shipowner company.
"We are grateful to fellow diplomats from partner countries, representatives of the shipowner company, and everyone who participated in the return of our sailors. This is an unchanging principle of the Ukrainian diplomatic service: Ukraine does not abandon its people," added the MFA spokesperson.
Context: US-Iran Negotiations
The return of Ukrainian sailors took place against the backdrop of tense but productive diplomatic activity between the US and Iran. On the night of June 22, the first round of negotiations on a peace agreement took place in Switzerland. The parties agreed on a roadmap, agreed to create a coordination center for conflict resolution, and continued technical consultations. A period of 60 days has been allocated to conclude the final deal.
Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department announced a temporary suspension of sanctions on Iranian oil — it can now be legally sold on the world market, but only for these same 60 days. Later, US President Donald Trump stated that the Strait of Hormuz is "fully open" and noted a record volume of oil exports through it on June 21.
Although the release of Ukrainian sailors is not directly related to these negotiations, the general context shows that tension in the region is gradually decreasing, and diplomatic channels are beginning to work more effectively. For Ukraine, this is an important victory — proof that even in complex geopolitical conditions, results can be achieved through persistence and international cooperation.