Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, has claimed that more than 1,300 civilians have been killed and 9,669 civilian sites destroyed in military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel since February 28, reported the IANS.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Iravani said the attacks had severely impacted residential neighbourhoods and civilian infrastructure across Iran. According to figures presented by the Iranian mission, the destruction includes 7,943 homes, 1,617 commercial and service centres, 32 medical and pharmaceutical facilities, 65 schools and educational institutions, 13 buildings belonging to the Iranian Red Crescent, and several energy supply installations, as per the IANS.
Iravani accused Washington and Tel Aviv of deliberately targeting civilians.
“They are deliberately and indiscriminately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure across my country. They show no respect for international law and no restraint in committing these crimes,” he said.
He further alleged that densely populated residential districts and critical infrastructure were being struck intentionally, adding that the number of casualties and damaged facilities continues to rise as the military campaign proceeds.
Environmental and health concerns
According to the IANS, the ambassador also cited heavy strikes on fuel storage facilities in Tehran and other cities on Saturday night. According to Iranian authorities, the explosions released large quantities of hazardous and toxic pollutants, worsening air quality and posing significant health risks.
He warned that the pollution could particularly endanger children, women, the elderly and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, referencing assessments by the Iranian Red Crescent Society.
Iravani argued that such attacks also violate international environmental commitments, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Infrastructure and transport facilities hit
Among the incidents cited was an attack on Mehrabad Airport in Tehran early Saturday morning, which reportedly damaged several civilian aircraft and airport infrastructure.
Another strike allegedly hit a freshwater desalination plant on Qeshm Island in Hormozgan Province, disrupting water supplies to approximately 30 villages.
Diplomatic casualties in Beirut
Iravani also claimed that in the early hours of Sunday, Israel carried out what he described as a “deliberate terrorist attack” against the Ramada Hotel Beirut in Beirut, Lebanon, which he said resulted in the deaths of four Iranian diplomats.
He described the alleged strike as a grave violation of international law, arguing that the targeted killing of diplomats on the territory of another sovereign state constitutes a war crime.
Call for International Action
Concluding his remarks, Iravani urged the international community to intervene.
“The international community must act now to stop this bloody war against the Iranian people,” he said, adding that Iran would take “all necessary measures” to defend its citizens, territorial integrity and independence, the news agency reported.
(with IANS inputs)