Iran planned strikes on Ukraine as Zaluzhnyi warns NATO lags behind Russia

Senior Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei claimed Tehran prepared to strike three targets inside Ukraine following an incident involving a merchant vessel in the Caspian Sea, though the operation was cancelled following diplomatic contacts.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, warned that NATO relies on military doctrines dating back to the Second World War. He estimated the alliance would require approximately 12 years to achieve even half of Russia's current combat potential, particularly in drone operations where Ukrainian forces currently hold superior experience.

Concurrently, security experts warn that deepening strategic cooperation between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea forms a consolidated autocratic alliance posing an escalating threat to Western defense networks.

Sources: Liga net, NEXTA, NV, Radio Svoboda, Ukrainska Pravda