Iran Urges Global Response After Air Strikes Hit Hospitals and Schools

Iran has called for international intervention following air strikes by the United States and Israel that have impacted hospitals and schools across the country. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, condemned the attacks, stating that they indiscriminately targeted residential areas, including medical and educational facilities, as well as cultural sites. Baghaei emphasized that such actions are grave violations of international law and threaten global values.

Pir Hossein Kolivand, head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, addressed a letter to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), urging it to condemn the attacks on civilian infrastructure and to invoke monitoring mechanisms outlined in the Geneva Conventions. Kolivand asserted that the damaged facilities had no military use and reaffirmed the Red Crescent's commitment to humanitarian principles.

ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric reiterated the importance of adhering to the rules of war, stressing that civilian infrastructure must be protected and medical personnel allowed to work safely. Despite the damage to several hospitals, there have been no confirmed direct hits on these facilities. However, significant damage was reported at multiple medical centers in Tehran, including the Gandhi Hospital, where the in-vitro fertilization department was destroyed.

The World Health Organization expressed concern over reports of hospital damage, and the Iranian Red Crescent released footage showing the aftermath of strikes near its main buildings and Khatam al-Anbiya Hospital. The attacks also affected the central headquarters of the Iranian police, with police buildings receiving regular hits.

In addition to hospitals, schools have also been targeted. An air strike in Tehran damaged a high school, resulting in the deaths of at least two children. The attack was reportedly aimed at former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, though it remains unclear if he was present. A sports center in Lamerd was also hit, causing multiple casualties.

The most significant loss of life occurred at a girls' school in Minab, where 165 people, mostly children, were killed, and 95 were wounded. The United States acknowledged reports of civilian casualties and is investigating, while the Israeli army denied knowledge of strikes in the area. Education International condemned the attack on the school, highlighting the violation of human rights and international humanitarian law.

Iranian authorities reported that at least 555 people have been killed across 131 counties due to the ongoing conflict. The Iranian government has faced criticism for its lack of transparency and accountability, particularly following the suppression of protests earlier in the year, during which hospitals were reportedly targeted by state forces.