New York, March 7, 2026
Iran’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, accused the United States and Israel of deliberately targeting civilian neighborhoods and infrastructure during ongoing military operations, claiming at least 1,332 Iranian civilians have been killed since the conflict escalated.
Speaking to reporters at UN headquarters and addressing the Security Council, Iravani described the strikes as “cruel and widespread,” alleging indiscriminate bombings in densely populated residential areas using heavy munitions, including 2,000-pound bombs. He stated that these actions aim to terrorize civilians and cause maximum harm, violating international humanitarian law.
According to Iravani, the death toll includes a significant number of women and children, with more than 180 children among the fatalities. He cited figures from the Iranian Red Crescent Society indicating thousands more injured, with numbers continuing to rise amid persistent attacks.
The ambassador highlighted damage to civilian facilities, reporting over 20 schools and 13 health centers affected nationwide. Specific incidents mentioned include strikes on hospitals in Tehran such as Motahari, Gandi, and Khatam, as well as Red Crescent buildings and emergency checkpoints in various provinces. Earlier reports referenced a devastating strike on a girls’ primary school in Minab, southern Iran, where dozens of children were killed.
Iravani urged the UN Security Council to intervene immediately to halt what he called an “aggressive and criminal war,” noting Iran’s repeated appeals for action have gone unheeded. He emphasized Iran’s exercise of self-defense rights under the UN Charter while warning that military assets linked to hostile forces remain legitimate targets until aggression ceases.
The claims have not been independently verified by international bodies or third-party sources at this stage. US and Israeli officials have maintained that operations target military and regime infrastructure, not civilians, though broader regional impacts on civilian areas have been reported amid the escalating conflict.
The UN human rights office and other agencies have expressed deep concern over civilian casualties and infrastructure damage across the region, calling for de-escalation and adherence to international law.
