The deputy for international and humanitarian affairs of Iran’s Red Crescent Society stated that the US and Israel have targeted approximately 600 educational institutions across the country. These institutions include schools and universities.
The strikes have not only put the lives of students, researchers, and faculty members in danger but have also claimed the lives of many. Razieh Alishvandi, Under-Secretary General for International Affairs and International Humanitarian Law, Red Crescent Society, highlighted that under international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, educational institutions are safeguarded, and striking is a violation that can be termed a war crime.
Furthermore, she said that the faculty of physics building at Iran University of Science and Technology in Tehran, which does not have military function, was struck and caused significant damage to classrooms and professors’ offices.
According to her, the Red Crescent has sent upwards of 23 letters to the ICC Prosecutor, outlining alleged violations such as strikes on residential neighborhoods, media establishments, airports, passenger planes, and medical and educational institutions.
She further said that these incidents are being seen daily and are reported to the international bodies, which include the ICC, and formal letters have been sent to the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, emphasizing that such actions could be termed as war crimes under international law.
According to her, these incidents are being recorded daily and reported to international bodies, including the ICC. She added that a formal letter was also sent to the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, stating that such actions could be considered war crimes under international law.
The ongoing conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran has escalated into sustained air and missile strikes The escalation follows earlier Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure in 2024–25 and the brief “12-Day War” of June 2025.
Israel and the United States say the objective is to weaken Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missile capabilities, and military leadership. Ali Khamenei, who had led Iran since 1989, was killed in a joint United States–Israeli airstrike on his compound in central Tehran on February 28, 2026, during the opening phase of the ongoing war on Iran. The conflict has already resulted in over a thousand civilian deaths in Iran and displaced millions.
