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Targetting of Iranian school crime against humanity: Iran’s FM at UNHRC session

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Tehran, March 27: The brutal attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh Girl’s School in Iran’s Minab cannot be justified, covered up, and must not be met with silence and indifference, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi told the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) during an urgent debate held on Friday afternoon.

In his speech at the emergency session, the Iranian Foreign Minister stated that his country is in the midst of an “illegal war” right now which has been imposed on it by “two bullying” nuclear-armed regimes, the United States and Israel.

“This war of aggression is clearly unjustified and extremely brutal. They launched this aggression on February 28 while Iran and the United States were engaged in a diplomatic process to resolve alleged US concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme. For the second time in nine months, they have betrayed diplomacy by disrupting and destroying the negotiating table,” said Araghchi.

Among the most horrific manifestations of this aggression, he said, was the “calculated and staged attack” on the Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school in the city of Minab in southern Iran, where more than 175 students and teachers were “massacred in a completely deliberate and brutal manner”.

“This brutal attack is merely the visible tip of a much larger iceberg; one that hides beneath its surface far worse atrocities, including the normalisation of the most egregious violations of human rights and humanitarian law, and the audacity to commit heinous crimes in a climate of complete impunity. At a time when the American and Israeli aggressors, as they claim, have the most advanced technologies and the most precise military and data systems, no one can believe that the attack on this school was anything other than a deliberate and premeditated act,” he stated.

Addressing the session virtually, Araghchi mentioned that the targetting of the Iranian school is a “war crime” and a “crime against humanity” that requires unequivocal and unconditional condemnation by all.

“This tragedy cannot be justified, cannot be covered up, and must not be met with silence and indifference. The attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab was neither a mere accident nor a miscalculation. The contradictory statements made by the United States to justify this crime cannot absolve them of their responsibility. Condemning such a brutal attack on an inherently civilian place, where the most innocent people are present and seeking knowledge, is not simply a legal obligation within the framework of human rights systems; it is a moral and human imperative. Our conscience will judge us far more profoundly than any court of law,” the Iranian Foreign Minister added.

He went on to add that the elementary school has not been the “only victim of the heinous crimes committed by the US and Israel” during the past 27 days of the war.

“Human rights and international humanitarian law have been widely and systematically violated by the aggressors in an unprecedented and extremely brutal manner. They have targetted civilians and civilian infrastructure with complete disregard for the laws of war and the fundamental principles of humanity and civility. More than 600 schools across Iran have been destroyed or damaged, resulting in the deaths or injuries of more than a 1000 students and teachers. The aggressors, who arrogantly shout ‘there is no mercy or respite’ and threaten Iran with attacks on vital infrastructure, have targetted hospitals, ambulances, medical workers, Red Crescent aid workers, refineries, water sources, and residential areas.”

He urged the United Nations to unequivocally condemn the “aggressors” highlighting that Iran has never sought war.

“Iranians are a peaceful and noble nation, heirs to one of the richest civilizations in the world. However, they have shown complete and unwavering determination to defend themselves against ruthless aggressors who know no bounds in committing all kinds of crimes; a defense that will continue for as long as necessary,” Araghchi concluded.

The urgent debate has been convened following an official request submitted by Iran, China and Cuba. According to the UNHRC, the Minab school strike of February 28 will be discussed in the context of the “protection of children and educational institutions in international armed conflicts”, as outlined in the request. The programme of work for the ongoing 61st regular session of the Human Rights Council has been adjusted to include this urgent debate.

International News

Iran to pursue US seizure of commercial ship during truce in international courts: official

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Tehran, Oct 3: A senior Iranian shipping official has said the country will pursue in international courts the US attack on and seizure of one of its container ships, which took place in April during the ceasefire between Tehran and Washington, the official news agency IRNA reported Saturday.

Mohammad-Reza Modarres Khiabani, CEO of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, made the remarks at a meeting in Tehran while describing as a “war crime” the US forces’ boarding and seizure of the Iranian-flagged vessel Touska off the coast of Iran’s southeastern Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman on April 19, said the report.

He said the ship was carrying medicines related to the Iranian Red Crescent Society and dialysis patients, noting that attacking a commercial ship during the ceasefire constitutes a “war crime and violation of the truce,” Xinhua News Agency reported.

He also said that the imposition of any form of naval blockade violated international law and constituted a “hostile” act, alleging that the US Navy struck Touska’s engine room and took 28 crew members hostage.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump declined to reveal his next move on Iran, saying the situation was “working out very well” and predicting that the conflict would not last long.

Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the White House before departing aboard Marine One.

Asked what his next step regarding Iran would be, Trump initially suggested that disclosing it would make major news.

“That’s very, oh, it’s — well, if I told you, you’d have a major story, right? But you’ll see. Working out very well. Iran is not doing well,” Trump said.

The President did not elaborate on what action his administration was considering or provide a timetable.

But later in the same exchange with reporters, Trump again referred to Iran while discussing global energy supplies and his efforts to get Europe to put more diesel into the market.

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International News

Capt Smit Machchhar under excellent medical care, recovering well: Indian Embassy in UAE

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Abu Dhabi, Oct 3: Captain Smit Machchhar, the brave Indian pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073, is responding well to treatment and continues to receive medical attention, the Indian Embassy in the UAE said on Saturday.

The mission said it was coordinating with his family and local authorities. It also thanked the UAE government for the care being extended to him.

“Indian braveheart Capt. Smit remains under excellent medical care & is recovering well. We are in touch with his family & local authorities, extending support for a speedy recovery. Our thanks to UAE gov. for their care. We join well-wishers in praying for his good health,” the Indian mission posted on X.

Captain Machchhar was injured while preventing a mid-air attack on Wednesday aboard the flydubai flight from Dubai to Israel.

During the incident, another pilot stabbed Captain Machchhar and the aircraft began to plummet.

The Indian pilot fought the assailant bravely and opened the cockpit door, following which passengers rushed to assist, entered the cockpit and overpowered the attacker.

Once the attacker was subdued, the seriously wounded Indian pilot was stabilised until the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke with Captain Machchhar over a video call, praising his courage, presence of mind and composure during the mid-air incident in which he helped save the lives of passengers and crew members.

During the conversation, PM Modi said the country could proudly say that Indians are not those who take lives, but those who are willing to risk their own lives to save others.

PM Modi began the conversation by asking about Captain Machchhar’s health and said the entire country was praying for his speedy recovery.

“The whole country is praying for you. Maha Mrityunjaya Jaap is being performed for you and your health. Your courage, presence of mind and composure saved many lives. The country can proudly say that Indians are not those who take lives, but those who are willing to risk their lives to save others,” PM Modi said.

Captain Machchhar nodded and responded, “Yes, sir.”

The Indian pilot has also received recognition from across the world, with leaders and people lauding his bravery and actions that helped save hundreds of lives during the mid-air attack.

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International News

Dubai Crown Prince visits Captain Machchhar, says brave Indian pilot embodies ‘highest degrees of courage’

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Abu Dhabi, Oct 3: Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Saturday visited the brave Indian pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073, Smit Machchhar, in the hospital and praised his courage.

“During a visit to Captain Smit Machchhar… the flydubai pilot who embodied the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and care for human life. From us, and from the leadership of the nation, he has our full appreciation and praise. We are proud that he is part of our team… part of the story of our nation… and part of what the UAE stands for… a nation of compassion… a nation of peace… and a nation of life,” Hamdan bin Mohammed, who is also UAE’s Minister of Defence and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, wrote on X after the meeting.

Earlier, the Indian Embassy in the UAE said Captain Machchhar is responding well to treatment and continues to receive medical attention.

The mission said it was coordinating with his family and local authorities. It also thanked the UAE government for the care being extended to him.

“Indian braveheart Capt. Smit remains under excellent medical care & is recovering well. We are in touch with his family & local authorities, extending support for a speedy recovery. Our thanks to the UAE gov. for their care. We join well-wishers in praying for his good health,” the Indian mission posted on X.

Captain Machchhar was injured while preventing a mid-air attack on Wednesday aboard the flydubai flight from Dubai to Israel.

During the incident, another pilot stabbed Captain Machchhar and the aircraft began to plummet.

The Indian pilot fought the assailant bravely and opened the cockpit door, following which passengers rushed to assist, entered the cockpit and overpowered the attacker.

Once the attacker was subdued, the seriously wounded Indian pilot was stabilised until the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke with Captain Machchhar over a video call, praising his courage, presence of mind and composure during the mid-air incident in which he helped save the lives of passengers and crew members.

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