US Has Yet to Apologise for Iranian School Attack That Killed Children, Says Iranian Diplomat

Speaking at the NDTV World Summit in New Delhi during a session titled A Region in Flux: Who Will Shape the Middle East’s Future?, Ilahi called on the international community to condemn the incident and press for measures to ensure that such attacks are not repeated.

He said the reported strike on Shajareh Tayyibeh School in Minab on February 28 had left families grieving, with some parents still unable to bury their children.

Ilahi said the start of the Iranian academic year in October had been particularly painful for families affected by the incident.

“The United States of America didn't apologise for this big mistake in attacking our primary school,” he said, adding that an investigation had been conducted into the incident.

Ilahi referred to an investigation by a United Nations committee and cited a figure of 125 children killed, while also claiming that the overall death toll stood at 168. The figures cited in his remarks were not consistent.

He urged people around the world to speak out against attacks on children and called for steps to prevent similar tragedies in Iran and elsewhere.

Iranian diplomat addresses Supreme Leader’s health

During the discussion, Ilahi also addressed questions surrounding the health of Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, asserting that he was in good health and continuing to perform his duties.

Ilahi said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had recently mentioned holding a seven-hour meeting with Khamenei. He also referred to statements by the Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, who he said had met the Supreme Leader for several hours.

The diplomat added that acquaintances who had met Khamenei had assured him that the leader was healthy and carrying out his responsibilities.

He further said Khamenei had been present at his father’s funeral and had participated in demonstrations alongside people in Iran.

Palestinian envoy accuses US of supporting Israel

Also participating in the summit discussion, Palestine’s Ambassador to India, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, accused Israel of waging what he described as a genocidal war against Palestinians and alleged that the United States was sustaining the conflict through military supplies and diplomatic support.

Abu Shawesh rejected the description of the situation in Gaza as merely a humanitarian crisis, arguing that the scale and nature of the violence warranted the term genocide.

He also criticised Washington’s use of its veto power at the United Nations, saying the United States had exercised the veto six times to prevent action aimed at ending the destruction in Gaza.

“The United States of America is still supporting Israel with the weapons and the political support,” Abu Shawesh said.

His remarks reflected the Palestinian leadership’s criticism of US policy towards Israel and its role in international efforts to address the conflict in Gaza.