‘Their intention is clear, to terrorise civilians’: Iran accuses US, Israel as it questions UNSC silence

‘Council has remained silent’: Iran accuses US, Israel of killing civilians, questions UNSC inaction

Iran has accused the United States and Israel of deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure during the ongoing conflict, rejecting their claims that only military facilities are being hit. Tehran says the attacks amount to a large-scale assault on its people and cities.

Speaking at the United Nations Security Council, Iran’s Ambassador to the UN Amir-Saeid Iravani said the strikes were causing significant civilian casualties and damage to residential areas across the country.

“Iranian cities are being attacked indiscriminately. Densely populated residential areas and critical civilian infrastructure are deliberately targeted… They are dropping 2,000 pound bomb in densely populated civilian areas. Their intention is clear, to terrorise civilians, massacre innocent people, and cause maximum destruction and suffering…" he said as quoted by news agency ANI.

Civilian casualties mount

According to Iravani, the conflict has led to widespread destruction of civilian facilities. He said that airports, schools, hospitals, mosques, and residential buildings have been damaged or destroyed in the strikes.

“So far, more than 180 Iranian children across the country have lost their lives as a result of this criminal war… More than 20 schools have been damaged, 13 health care facilities have been attacked…" he added.

Iranian officials claim that at least 1,332 civilians, including women and children, have been killed so far, while thousands more have been injured since the hostilities began.

Iran Criticises UN Security Council

Iravani also criticised the UN Security Council for what he described as its failure to act despite repeated appeals from Tehran to intervene.

“Despite our repeated communication to the Security Council calling for an immediate halt to this criminal war, the Council has remained silent," he said.

The Iranian envoy urged the international body to take immediate steps to stop the attacks and hold those responsible accountable under international law.

Iran condemns attack on warship

Iravani also condemned the sinking of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena, which he said was attacked by the United States in international waters while on a goodwill visit.

“United States committed a dangerous act of aggression at sea, nearly 2,000 miles from Iran’s shore. The Iranian frigate Dena which was on the goodwill visit and upon invitation was with the Indian Navy and carrying around 130 sailors was attacked in international waters. Nearly 100 Iranian sailors were martyred. The US committed a war crime. This heinous and unlawful attack constitute a grave violation of the law and the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation," he added.

According to available figures, more than 1,230 people have died in Iran since the conflict began. Over 70 people have been killed in Lebanon, around a dozen in Israel, and six US troops have also lost their lives.