Iranian Military Denies Role in Ship Attacks That Derailed Islamabad MoU: Reformist Politician Behzad Nabavi

Iranian Military Denies Role in Ship Attacks That Derailed Islamabad MoU: Reformist Politician Behzad Nabavi

TEHRAN, October 13, 2026, [VoM News]: The Veteran Iranian reformist politician Behzad Nabavi remarked that Iranian military commanders denied off the involvement in ship attacks that reportedly derailed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

In remarks to Tehran-based newspaper Etemad, Nabavi claimed President Masoud Pezeshkian had initially questioned senior military officials over the incidents, expressing anger and surprise about their timing.

“As far as I know, even Dr. Pezeshkian initially complained to the commanders of the armed forces, with anger and surprise, asking why they had taken such an action at such a sensitive time,” Nabavi said.

“Military officials categorically denied responsibility and told the president that no order had been issued for the attacks,” Nabavi claimed.

Nabavi said the incidents significantly affected the international political environment surrounding Iran and undermined what he described as one of Tehran’s most balanced agreements with a foreign party.

He also questioned who could have authorised or carried out the attacks if Iran’s government, military leadership and other senior authorities had not ordered them.

“If neither the government, nor the General Staff of the Armed Forces, nor the leadership gave such an order, then who was behind this action?” Nabavi said.

The remarks represent Nabavi’s account of internal discussions, and no independent evidence identifying those responsible for the ship attacks was cited.