Israel Attacked A Port Through Which Iran Received Aid From Russia
- 21.03.2026, 15:18
The strike on the boats in the Caspian Sea has provoked a nervous reaction from Moscow.
The Israeli Air Force has expanded its geography of operations by striking Iranian military boats in the Caspian Sea and the port of Bandar Enzeli, where the headquarters of Iran's Northern Fleet is located.
This port is linked by sea lines to Russian ports and has been used for military-technical supplies. Iran and Russia use several ports, but Bandar-Enzeli is the key one. Some military bloggers have even used the formulation that it is literally a window to Russia for Iran. "Focus" found out all that is known.
The importance of Bandar Enzelie is also indicated by the reaction of the Russian Foreign Ministry, which issued an outraged statement after the attack was confirmed.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in connection with the missile attack on the port of Bandar Enzel on March 18, 2026, that "the U.S.-Israeli coalition continues to pour kerosene on the fire of war in the Middle East, leading to its further spreading."
"The Iranian port of Enzeli on the Caspian Sea is an important trade and logistics hub, which is actively used to ensure Russian-Iranian trade, including food," Zakharova said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the economic interests of Russia and other Caspian littoral states that maintain transportation links with Iran through the port are affected. Therefore, there is a threat of "dragging the Caspian states into a military conflict."
Zakharova said that the Caspian Sea area "has always" been perceived by the countries of the region and the international community as a safe space of peace and cooperation, but now "reckless and irresponsible actions of aggressors create a threat."
Russia provided Iran with intelligence to help it strike U.S. targets in the Middle East.
Israel did not comment on Russia's statement, but did comment on the strikes on the port of Bandar Enzel.
The Israel Defense Forces said the strikes hit northern Iran, but did not specify whether Iranian naval vessels in the area were targeted. "The Israeli Air Force, acting on intelligence provided by the navy and the Israel Defense Forces, began striking targets in northern Iran for the first time as part of Operation Roaring Lion. Details later," the military said in a statement.
Israeli media also reported that about five Iranian ships in the port were hit. And it was separately noted that last July, weeks after the end of the 12-day war between Iran and Israel, Iran's navy held joint military exercises with the Russian navy in the Caspian Sea to "enhance security in the Caspian region and strengthen cooperation between the navies of Russia and Iran."