The US and Israel war crimes in Iran are drawing little global attention despite serious violations of international law. By targeting civilians, universities, and religious leaders, both governments have acted in ways that break human rights agreements and Geneva Convention rules.
Islamic Azad University, one of the largest non-state, in-person universities worldwide, highlights key examples of these attacks to document and inform the international community.
Assassination of a Religious and Political Leader
The killing of a senior political and religious figure in Iran is a direct threat to the spiritual identity of millions. It also violates international law, including Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions, which protects religious figures, and Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which forbids incitement to violence against religions. The attack occurred in peacetime, making it a particularly grave violation.
Targeting of Universities and Academic Centers
Universities are protected under international law as centers of learning and research. By the fourth week of the war, 154 academic departments in 21 universities had been hit. Key sites damaged include the Agricultural Research Center of Islamic Azad University, Iran University of Science and Technology, Khajeh Nasir University of Technology’s Electrical Engineering Faculty, and Isfahan University of Technology. These strikes contravene Article 52 of the Geneva Conventions and customary humanitarian law.
Civilian Casualties Among Students and Schoolchildren
The human cost has been high. By the fourth week of the conflict, at least 71 university students had died, with Tehran Province suffering the most losses. The early-morning attack on Minab city killed 170 schoolgirls and their teachers, an act that meets the definition of a war crime. Accurate statistics are hard to gather in wartime, and the actual number of victims among students, teachers, and professors is likely much higher.
Attacks on Fuel Infrastructure and Environmental Resources
Strikes on fuel storage and transfer facilities in Tehran Province and other areas endanger both human life and the environment. These attacks violate the Geneva Conventions and the 1976 ENMOD Convention due to their potential for toxic contamination and long-term environmental damage. Such attacks threaten the right of future generations to a safe and healthy environment.
Sinking of the Iranian Training Vessel “Dena”
The unarmed Iranian training vessel “Dena” was attacked while returning from a peaceful mission to India. The assault killed all 104 crew members. US leadership reportedly dismissed attempts to capture the vessel, choosing instead to sink it. This act stands out as a blatant violation of international law and humanitarian principles.
International Silence and Accountability
Despite these violations, international institutions responsible for peace and security, particularly the United Nations Security Council, have remained silent. This inaction undermines their obligations to uphold international law. Islamic Azad University urges the UN Security Council, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Red Cross, UNESCO, the UN General Assembly, and the Human Rights Council to:
- Condemn the aggression by the US and Israel against Iran.
- Take punitive measures against the perpetrators.
- Investigate attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities and cultural heritage sites.
- Convene sessions to propose concrete solutions to prevent future violations.
Global religious, academic, and cultural institutions must also unite to condemn these attacks. Universities, in particular, have a role in promoting justice and peace and preventing the recurrence of such acts.
The cooperation of the international academic community is essential in documenting these violations and ensuring that human rights are defended.
Seyed Rasoul Mousavi
Vice President for International Affairs and Non-Iranian Students
Islamic Azad University of Iran
March 2026
