The UN's human rights chief has urged the US to conclude its investigation and publish its findings into a deadly strike on an Iranian primary school that happened on the first day of the war last month. The bombing evoked a visceral horror, Volker Türk said at an urgent debate in the UN Human Rights Council, saying there must be justice for the terrible harm done. The attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh school consisted of two missile strikes in quick succession that killed at least 168 people, including about 110 children, Iranian officials have said.
US media have reported that American military investigators believe its own forces were likely responsible for hitting the school unintentionally. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth previously said the matter was being investigated.
The strike, if a US role was to be confirmed, would amount to one of its worst single cases of civilian casualties in decades of US conflicts in the Middle East. The images of bombed-out classrooms and grieving parents showed clearly who pays the highest price for war: civilians with no power in the decisions that led to conflict, Türk said.
He called for those responsible for the attack to investigate it promptly, thoroughly, and transparently. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the bombing as a deliberate and intentional attack by the US, demanding accountability for this tragedy. In a video address to the UN meeting, he stated, This atrocity cannot be justified, concealed, and must not be met with silence and indifference.
Democrats in the US Senate have also sought transparency by writing to Defence Secretary Hegseth, demanding answers regarding the strike, questioning whether outdated intelligence may have led to miscalculations. The Pentagon promised a thorough response as the investigation continues.
US media have reported that American military investigators believe its own forces were likely responsible for hitting the school unintentionally. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth previously said the matter was being investigated.
The strike, if a US role was to be confirmed, would amount to one of its worst single cases of civilian casualties in decades of US conflicts in the Middle East. The images of bombed-out classrooms and grieving parents showed clearly who pays the highest price for war: civilians with no power in the decisions that led to conflict, Türk said.
He called for those responsible for the attack to investigate it promptly, thoroughly, and transparently. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the bombing as a deliberate and intentional attack by the US, demanding accountability for this tragedy. In a video address to the UN meeting, he stated, This atrocity cannot be justified, concealed, and must not be met with silence and indifference.
Democrats in the US Senate have also sought transparency by writing to Defence Secretary Hegseth, demanding answers regarding the strike, questioning whether outdated intelligence may have led to miscalculations. The Pentagon promised a thorough response as the investigation continues.
