West Asia war: Iran moves ICC over "unprovoked aggression" by US-Israel; reports civilian infra damage

23 March,2026 04:13 PM IST |  Tehran  |  mid-day online correspondent

According to state media Press TV, the letters call for condemnation of what Tehran describes as an unprovoked military offensive by the United States and Israel

Iranian officials have described these incidents as serious breaches of international humanitarian standards. File Pic/AFP


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The Iranian Red Crescent Society has stated that Iran has moved the International Criminal Court (ICC) over "unprovoked war of aggression" by US-Israel, reporting massive civilian infrastructure damage, reported the ANI.

Iran has submitted 16 formal letters to the International Criminal Court and other global institutions in connection with the matter.

According to state media Press TV, the letters call for condemnation of what Tehran describes as an unprovoked military offensive by the United States and Israel.

Razieh Alishvandi, Deputy Head of the IRCS for International and Human Rights Affairs, said Iran is actively urging international organisations to take legal steps in response to the attacks, according to the ANI.

She added that the IRCS is in regular contact with both the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

So far, five joint statements have been issued highlighting alleged violations of humanitarian law.

Human rights violations

The statements reportedly document incidents such as attacks on medical facilities, civilians, ambulances, and the naval vessel IRIS Dena, as per the ANI.

Iranian officials have described these incidents as serious breaches of international humanitarian standards.

The current escalation is said to have begun on February 28, marking a renewed phase of tensions. This follows earlier incidents roughly eight months prior, which Tehran also described as unprovoked.

In response, Iran has reportedly carried out retaliatory strikes using missiles and drones targeting locations linked to Israel and US military assets in the region.

Extent of damage reported

According to the ANI, IRCS Head Pir-Hossein Kolivand stated that over 81,000 civilian sites have been affected. These include homes, commercial establishments, schools, medical centres, and emergency facilities.

He described the scale of destruction as a violation of the Geneva Conventions.

In Tehran alone, thousands of residential and commercial units, along with healthcare centres, schools, and Red Crescent facilities, have reportedly been damaged, as per the ANI.

Humanitarian concerns raised

Kolivand stressed that attacks on such facilities go beyond physical damage, affecting essential services that support human life.

Iranian authorities say they are continuing to document these incidents as part of a broader legal effort to hold those responsible accountable at the international level, the news agency reported.

(with ANI inputs)

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