By Spy Uganda
Questions and concern continue to mount across the international community following a deadly strike on a primary school in southern Iran that reportedly claimed the lives of more than 160 people, most of them young girls. Iranian authorities have accused the United States and Israel of carrying out the attack, claims that have not been independently verified.
Addressing a press briefing in Kampala, Majid Saffar, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Uganda, strongly condemned what he described as a joint military strike on Shajar-e Tayyib Primary School in Minab.
According to the ambassador, the attack killed 168 civilians, the majority of them children aged between 7 and 12. He characterized the incident as a “mass killing” and “genocide,” raising alarm over what he termed a grave violation of international humanitarian law.
“This attack constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law and amounts to war crimes and crimes against humanity,” Saffar said, emphasizing that the school was a clearly identifiable civilian facility and not a legitimate military target.
He further alleged that the site was struck twice within a short interval using Tomahawk missiles, arguing that the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution—key pillars of international humanitarian law—were disregarded.
“Under no circumstances could this school have been considered a lawful military objective,” he stated, pointing to what he described as available evidence confirming the site’s civilian status. He added that beyond the loss of life, the attack has caused long-term psychological trauma and disrupted the future of an entire generation.
“This is not merely the killing of children; it is the destruction of a future generation,” he said.
The ambassador linked the incident to what he described as a broader pattern of aggression against Iran, including strikes on residential areas, hospitals, and infrastructure during Ramadan and the Iranian New Year.
However, officials from both the United States and Israel have strongly denied the allegations. Pete Hegseth dismissed claims of deliberately targeting civilians, stating, “There’s only one entity in this conflict between us and Iran that never targets civilians,” while confirming that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Similarly, U.S. Central Command spokesperson Tim Hawkins acknowledged the reports, noting that they are being taken seriously and reviewed. Israeli authorities also rejected the accusations, maintaining that their operations are aimed at security threats and do not target civilian infrastructure.
Responding to concerns about Iran’s military posture, Ambassador Saffar denied allegations that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, insisting that available reports support Iran’s commitment to non-proliferation. He framed the ongoing tensions as part of broader geopolitical struggles, while defending Iran’s actions as self-defence under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Turning to Africa, the ambassador called on nations across the continent to prioritize self-reliance and sovereignty. He urged countries not to depend excessively on external powers, emphasizing the importance of independent development and balanced partnerships.
Referencing Uganda, he pointed to the leadership of Yoweri Museveni as an example of resisting external pressure, highlighting the need for economic independence and control over national resources.
Saffar also reiterated Iran’s willingness to expand cooperation with African countries in sectors such as agriculture, health, and technology, underscoring the importance of South-South collaboration.
