NEW YORK: Iran’s Ambassador to the UN, Amir-Saeid Iravani on Tuesday night (local time) alleged that the US and Israel were deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure.
“They are deliberately and discriminately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure across my country. They show no respect for international law and no restraint in committing these crimes. Densely populated residential area and critical civilian infrastructure are deliberately targeted. So far, these horrific crimes have resulted in the martyrdom of more than 1,300 civilians. They have also destroyed 9,669 civilian sites, including 7,943 residential homes, 1,617 commercial and service centres, 32 medical and pharmaceutical facilities, 65 schools and educational institutions, 13 Red Cross building and several energy supply facilities,” he said.
The Iranian envoy claimed that strikes on fuel storage facilities had caused toxic pollutants to enter the air.
“On the night of the March 7, aggressor aircraft launched heavy strike on fuel storage facilities in Tehran and other cities. This attack released large quantities of hazardous and toxic pollutant into the atmosphere. According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the explosion caused severe air pollution and serious health risk for civilians, especially children, women and elderly and those with critical health condition. Rainfall on the morning of 8th March further spread the pollutants through highly acidic precipitation, increasing the risk of the respiratory harm and environmental contamination. medical centres in Tehran have been placed on high alert. This heinous attack also violates international environmental obligations, including those under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity,” he said.
Calling the United States, a rogue state, Iravani also alleged that US-Israel strikes had targeted diplomats staying at a hotel in Beirut.