UNSC to hold closed-door meeting to address US-Israeli strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure

The United Nations Security Council is set to hold a private meeting on Friday to discuss recent United States and Israeli military strikes on civilian infrastructure in Iran, including a deadly terrorist attack on a primary school.

Requested by Russia, the session will take place behind closed doors on Friday morning, New York local time, and will be attended by the 15 permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council.

The meeting follows a formal letter sent earlier by Amir-Saeid Iravani, Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the UN. Addressed to UN officials, the Secretary-General, and the Security Council, the letter detailed the attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, Hormozgan province.

The attack came on the first day of the US-Israeli unprovoked aggression on Iran, which began on February 28 by assassinating Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and a host of military commanders.

Iravani highlighted in his letter that the attack on the school was "deliberately" targeted and destroyed by the invading coalition.

"As a result of this criminal attack, more than 170 innocent schoolgirls lost their lives, and their bodies were recovered from under the rubble after hours of rescue and relief operations," he added.

He added, "On the same day, similar attacks in other cities, including east of Tehran and Abyek in Qazvin province, also led to the deaths of several students."

Under international humanitarian law, the deliberate targeting of a school, hospital, or any other civilian site is considered a war crime.

The United States, having committed this war crime, is still conducting so-called investigations to avoid the consequences and responsibility stemming from this human tragedy. Initial reports by American media, however, have named the US military as responsible for the attack.

The strike stands as one of the worst cases of civilian casualties in decades of American wars in West Asia.

The broader humanitarian impact of the aggression was highlighted by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric. Speaking to reporters on Thursday local time, he noted that colleagues at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs have received reports of extensive damage to vital services in Iran.

Citing the latest figures from the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Dujarric stated that in total, more than 87,000 civilian residential and commercial units have been damaged. The destruction also extends to 600 schools, 289 healthcare centers, 17 Red Crescent facilities, three helicopters, and 48 of the organization's rescue vehicles.

Dujarric emphasized that emergency personnel have not been immune to the violence. As of Wednesday, the Ministry of Health reported the deaths of 23 healthcare workers and injuries to 112 others. Additionally, the Red Crescent has confirmed the death of one rescue worker and injuries to 14 personnel so far.

The UN spokesperson continued by explaining that the ongoing aggression has forced people to relocate to safer areas. This displacement has heightened civilian vulnerability and disrupted their access to basic needs, essential services, and livelihoods.

Official: 250 students, teachers martyred  

Iran said on Friday that 250 students and teachers have been martyred and 184 members of the education community wounded since the start of the Zionist-American war on its territory, according to remarks carried by Islamic Republic News Agency.

Hossein Sadeghi, head of the public relations and information center at Iran’s education ministry, said 723 educational, cultural and administrative sites have also been damaged nationwide.

He provided the following provincial breakdown of casualties:

Hormozgan: 147 killed (120 students, 27 teachers), 120 wounded

Tehran (city): 16 students and 5 teachers killed; 8 students and 5 teachers wounded

Tehran province (excluding capital): 12 students, 1 child and 3 teachers killed

Lorestan: 7 students and 5 teachers killed; 4 students and 4 teachers wounded

Fars: 8 students and 2 teachers killed; 32 students wounded

Markazi: 4 students and 3 teachers killed; 1 teacher wounded

East Azarbaijan: 12 students and 1 child killed; 3 teachers (including retirees) killed; 1 student wounded

West Azarbaijan: 3 students killed

Ardabil: 1 teacher killed

Isfahan: 3 students and 1 teacher killed

Alborz: 1 student killed; 1 teacher wounded

Ilam: 2 students and 1 teacher killed

Zanjan: 1 student killed

Kerman: 2 students killed; 1 student wounded

Hamadan: 1 student killed

Yazd: 1 student killed

Kurdistan: 1 student killed; 1 student and 1 teacher wounded

Kermanshah: 2 students killed; 3 students and 2 teachers wounded

Qazvin: 2 students killed

He added that some provinces, including Sistan and Baluchestan and Qom, reported damage to educational facilities.

The US-Israeli aggression began while indirect negotiations between Iran and the US were actively taking place through the mediation of several regional countries.

In the wake of the attacks and within the framework of its legitimate right to self-defense, the Islamic Republic has been delivering decisive, targeted, and proportionate responses to the aggressors by pounding US and Israeli assets across the region.

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