At least 53 lives have been claimed following an Israeli strike that targeted an elementary girls’ school in Minab, located in Hormozgan province in southern Iran.
According to Iran’s state-run media, rescue workers are still involved in clearing the debris from the site, where an additional 63 people sustained injuries during the attack on Saturday.
This incident is part of a broader series of military actions conducted by the US and Israel throughout Iran, which have escalated tensions and sparked a wave of violence in the region.
Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian foreign minister, posted an image of the scene on X, expressing sorrow over the destruction of the school and the loss of “innocent children”.
“These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered,” Araghchi wrote.
Russia condemns attack
Meanwhile, Russia has condemned the latest airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iran.
In a statement issued Saturday, Russia said the attacks are a “deliberate, premeditated, and unprovoked act of armed aggression” against a sovereign state.
“The scope and character of the military, political, and propaganda preparations that preceded this reckless step leave no doubt that this is a deliberate, premeditated, and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state,” the statement reads.
Russia accused US and Israel of violating the fundamental principles and norms of international law.
The country also criticised the timing of the strikes, saying they were conducted “under the cover of the renewed negotiation process” aimed at long-term normalisation around Iran.
Russian government noted that assurances had earlier been conveyed to Moscow indicating that Israel had no interest in entering into military confrontation with Tehran.
“The international community, including the leadership of the UN and the IAEA, must urgently deliver an objective and unbiased assessment of these irresponsible actions,” the statement reads.
Russia warned that Washington and Tel Aviv had embarked on “a perilous course” pushing the region toward “a humanitarian, economic, and potentially even radiological disaster.”
The country further alleged that the stated objective of the strikes was to dismantle Iran’s constitutional order and remove its leadership.
Russia also raised concerns about the implications for the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, particularly the Treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons (NPT).
READ ALSO: Airspace closed across Middle East as US-Israel strike Iran
The country described as “unacceptable” the bombing of nuclear facilities operating under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, dismissing US and Israeli claims that the strikes were aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Russia warned that escalating tensions could prompt countries in the Middle East and beyond to seek more dangerous means of countering perceived threats.
“We call for an immediate return to a political and diplomatic track. Russia, as always, stands ready to assist in advancing peaceful solutions grounded in international law, mutual respect, and a balanced consideration of interests,” the statement reads.
