Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, on Friday accused the United States and Israel of committing “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity” during an emergency session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, following a deadly attack on a school in southern Iran.
Addressing the session convened over the bombing of Shajareh Tayybeh Elementary School in Minab, Araghchi described the attack as a “premeditated act of violence” that killed more than 175 students and teachers.
He alleged that Iran is facing an “illegal war imposed” by the U.S. and Israel, which he called “nuclear-armed aggressor regimes,” insisting that the conflict was neither justified nor accidental. Hostilities, according to him, began on February 28, 2026, during ongoing diplomatic talks between Tehran and Washington over Iran’s nuclear program, marking a disruption in negotiations for the second time in nine months.
“The attack on Shajareh Tayybeh School was deliberate,” Araghchi said. “Given the advanced military technologies at the disposal of the aggressors, it is impossible to consider this a mistake. This constitutes a war crime and a crime against humanity.”
He further alleged a broader pattern of attacks on civilian infrastructure, claiming that more than 600 schools across Iran have been damaged, with over 1,000 students and teachers killed or injured since the escalation began. He also accused the U.S. and Israel of targeting hospitals, ambulances, medical personnel, Red Crescent workers, as well as critical infrastructure including refineries, water facilities, and residential areas.
Araghchi described the scale and nature of the attacks as indicative of “genocidal intent” rather than isolated military errors, criticising what he called global inaction. He linked the situation to international silence over past conflicts in Palestine and Lebanon, warning that failure to act could embolden further violations of international law.
“The world’s indifference has only deepened insecurity and human rights abuses,” he said, urging the council to take decisive action to hold perpetrators accountable. He reiterated that Iran remains committed to peace but will defend its sovereignty against external aggression.
