Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday condemned the United States and Israel for attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran, most notably the strike on Minab Elementary Girls' School, which killed over 160 people. He called these actions a war crime, urged the international community to unite against the injustice toward Iran, and emphasized that the country would continue to defend itself as long as necessary.
He made the remarks while virtually addressing the UN debate regarding the fatal school strike.
"Indifference and silence in the face of injustice bring neither security nor peace. They invite further insecurity and violations of rights. The United Nations, the core values it embodies, and the broader human rights framework are at serious risk. All of you must call out the aggressors and let them know that the international community and the collective human conscience hold them accountable for the abhorrent crimes they are committing against Iranians," Araghchi said.
He stressed that while Iran has never sought war, it is determined to defend itself as long as needed.
"Iran has never sought war. Iranians are a peaceful and noble people, inheriting one of the richest civilizations on Earth. Yet they have demonstrated absolute resolve to defend themselves against brutal perpetrators who know no bounds in committing all manner of crimes. This defense shall continue as long as necessary," he added.
Araghchi condemned the school strike as "deliberate and intentional," noting that it occurred despite the US and Israel possessing advanced technology and military intelligence systems.
"This atrocity cannot be justified or concealed, and it must not be met with silence or indifference," he said.
#WATCH | Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi says, "This war of aggression is blatantly unjustified. They, the US and Israel, initiated this aggression on 28th February...Targeting Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school in Minab was a war crime, one that demands… pic.twitter.com/6AbHriA3QF
— ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2026
He further highlighted that several other civilian infrastructures have been targeted in US-Israeli strikes. Over the past 27 days, these attacks have affected Red Crescent rescuers, refineries, ambulances, hospitals, health workers, water sources, and residential areas. "More than 600 schools have been destroyed or damaged across Iran, and over 1,000 students and teachers have been killed or injured as a result," he said.
The Foreign Minister added that the term "war crimes" does not fully capture the scale of atrocities being committed against Iran.
"The aggressors' targeting patterns, accompanied by their rhetoric, leave little doubt as to their clear intent to commit genocide," he said.
Describing it as an "unjust war of whims" against Iran, Araghchi urged the international community to act, warning that the values of the United Nations are at stake.
His remarks come amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes targeting key infrastructure in Iran. Earlier, US President Trump indicated a temporary pause in operations against Iran, noting that Iran had requested a seven-day halt on American strikes targeting its energy infrastructure. He extended this window to 10 days, until April 6, yet US-Israeli strikes have continued.
