Online Reporter
Dr Amir Hossein
Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Zim
Saturday, August 15, 2026, marks the 168th day of the illegal and imposed war of aggression waged by the United States and the Israeli regime against the Islamic Republic of Iran, a flagrant assault on the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and national dignity of a member state of the United Nations.
This criminal aggression commenced with a missile strike on the Shajareh-Tayyebeh School in Minab, resulting in the tragic deaths of 168 school children. The attack extended to Lamerd, where strikes on a residential area and a sports facility caused additional civilian casualties.
The massacre of students at the Shajareh-Tayyebeh School in Minab, stands as a horrifying symbol of the aggressors’ deliberate disregard for the lives and safety of innocent children.
The attack on Lamerd, which killed civilians, including young volleyball players and a child, raises serious concerns regarding the potential field-testing of new US armament on Iranian civilians, constituting a grave breach of international humanitarian law.
The aggressors have also targeted and destroyed scores of historical and cultural sites, residential areas, homes, schools, bridges, hospitals, universities, stadiums, desalination plants, public-service facilities and commercial establishments.
These attacks constitute a systematic assault not only on the Iranian people, but also on their history, culture, social infrastructure and fundamental right to live in peace. The deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian objects, as well as attacks on essential infrastructure, are prohibited under international humanitarian law and must be thoroughly investigated by competent international bodies, with those responsible held accountable.
Particularly alarming is the bombing of Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, which have been subject to the safeguards and monitoring arrangements of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA has confirmed damage to several Iranian nuclear-related facilities and reported attacks affecting safeguarded sites. Such attacks endanger international peace and security, threaten the safety of civilian populations and undermine the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.
The statements and threats made by US President Donald Trump have further exposed the nature and scope of this aggression.
Threats that Iran’s bridges, power plants, energy facilities and even its “whole civilization” could be destroyed are not the language of peace or responsible leadership. They amount to threats against an entire nation and its historical identity.
Repeated threats against Kharg Island, Iran’s principal oil-export hub, as well as against oil wells and energy infrastructure, also raise serious questions about the strategic and economic interests underlying this war. No state has the right to wage war against another nation in pursuit of its resources, to impose its political will, or to advance imperial, hegemonic or neo-colonial objectives.
The sovereignty and natural resources of nations are not legitimate targets for military coercion.
The international community must not remain silent in the face of these grave violations. We call upon the United Nations, the Security Council, the International Criminal Court (ICC) and all relevant international institutions to condemn this illegal aggression, establish the facts, ensure accountability and take appropriate action against those responsible for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
We particularly call upon the peace-loving countries of Africa, especially the people and Government of Zimbabwe, which have historically stood at the forefront of the struggle against colonialism, apartheid, racism and foreign domination, to raise their voices against this unlawful aggression.
In light of these events, we call on the international community to stand in solidarity with the resilient people and government of Iran. World leaders and peace-loving people must oppose the politics of coercion and reject all imperialist, neo-colonial and hegemonic agendas.
The Iranian people have shown extraordinary courage in defending their sovereignty, a struggle that reflects the broader fight across the Global South to defend and protect national dignity, resources, and independence from foreign domination.
We demand an immediate end to this aggression, an end to attacks against innocent civilians and civilian infrastructure, and full accountability for all those responsible for planning, ordering and carrying out these criminal acts.
Long live peace, justice and solidarity among the nations of the Global South.
