Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi urged the UN Human Rights Council on Friday (March 27) to condemn the February 28 strike on a school in Minab, southern Iran, as delegates from the United States and Israel were absent from the chamber.

Araqchi called the attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School a "war crime and a crime against humanity," saying more than 175 students and teachers were killed.

The U.S. military previously elevated its investigation into the strike after preliminary findings suggested U.S. forces were likely responsible, according to Reuters reporting.

Preliminary findings suggest U.S. forces may have relied on outdated targeting data that did not distinguish between the school and an adjoining military base.

Araqchi accused the United States and Israel of a broader pattern of attacks on civilian infrastructure, saying more than 600 schools had been damaged and more than 1,000 students and teachers killed or wounded across Iran. He said Iran had not sought war but would continue to defend itself.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (MARCH 27, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF DELEGATES LISTENING ADDRESS OF IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ABBAS ARAQCHI

2. VARIOUS EMPTY SEATS OF UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL

UNKNOWN, IRAN (MARCH 27, 2026) (UNTV - Access all)

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ABBAS ARAQCHI SAYING:

"This war of aggression is blatantly unjustified and brutal. They initiated this aggression on 28 February, while Iran and the U.S. were engaged in a diplomatic process to resolve Americans’ alleged concerns over Iran’s nuclear program. They betrayed diplomacy for a second time in the course of nine months by torpedoing the negotiating table."

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (MARCH 27, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

4. DELEGATES LISTENING

UNKNOWN, IRAN (MARCH 27, 2026) (UNTV - Access all)

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ABBAS ARAQCHI SAYING:

"Among the most harrowing manifestations of this aggression, was the calculated, phased assault on Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary school in the city of Minab, south of Iran, where more than 175 students and teachers were slaughtered in cold blood."

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (MARCH 27, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

6. DELEGATES LISTENING

UNKNOWN, IRAN (MARCH 27, 2026) (UNTV - Access all)

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ABBAS ARAQCHI SAYING:

"Targeting Shajareh Tayyebeh School was a war crime and a crime against humanity—one that demands unequivocal condemnation by all and unambiguous accountability for the culprits. This atrocity cannot be justified, cannot be concealed, and must not be met with silence and indifference. The attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab, was not a mere “incident” nor a “miscalculation.” The United States’ contradictory remarks aimed at justifying their crime could not, in any manner, elude their responsibility."

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (MARCH 27, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

8. VARIOUS OF ADDRESS UNDERWAY

UNKNOWN, IRAN (MARCH 27, 2026) (UNTV - Access all)

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ABBAS ARAQCHI SAYING:

"More than 600 schools have been demolished or damaged across Iran and more than 1000 students and teachers martyred or wounded as the result. The Aggressors, who are arrogantly shouting ‘no mercy, no quarters’, and threatening to strike Iran’s vital infrastructures, have been attacking hospitals, ambulances, health workers, Red Crescent rescuers, refineries, water sources and residential areas."

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (MARCH 27, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

10. ADDRESS UNDERWAY

UNKNOWN, IRAN (MARCH 27, 2026) (UNTV - Access all)

11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ABBAS ARAQCHI SAYING:

"The aggressors’ targeting pattern accompanied by their rhetorics leave little doubt as to their clear intent to commit genocide."

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (MARCH 27, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

12. DELEGATES LISTENING

UNKNOWN, IRAN (MARCH 27, 2026) (UNTV - Access all)

13. (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ABBAS ARAQCHI SAYING:

"This unjust war of whims by the United States and Israel against the noble nation of Iran is the direct result of silence in the face of earlier manifestations of lawlessness and atrocity in occupied Palestine, Lebanon and elsewhere."

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (MARCH 27, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

14. DELEGATES LISTENING

UNKNOWN, IRAN (MARCH 27, 2026) (UNTV - Access all)

15. (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ABBAS ARAQCHI SAYING:

"Iran has never sought war. Iranians are a peaceful noble nation inheriting one of the richest civilizations on earth. Yet, they have demonstrated absolute resolve and determination to defend themselves against the brutal aggressors who know no boundary in perpetrating all sorts of crimes—a defence that shall persist as long as needed."

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (MARCH 27, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

16. VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF UNITED NATIONS BUILDING