Tehran: In a statement commemorating the anniversary of the adoption of the four 1949 Geneva Conventions on the laws of war, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran has accused the United States of systematically violating fundamental international humanitarian laws. The statement highlights the US government's disregard for these laws as evidenced by statements from high-ranking officials, including the US President, Secretary of War, and Secretary of State, as well as a recurring pattern of attacks on civilians and infrastructure.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the Geneva Conventions, adopted 77 years ago on August 12, 1949, established essential principles governing armed conflicts, such as the distinction between military and civilian targets, proportionality, military necessity, and the avoidance of unnecessary suffering. These conventions obligate all contracting states to uphold and ensure the observance of these principles.

Despite the clarity and binding nature of these conventions, the Ministry notes that the world is witnessing unprecedented violations of international humanitarian law. The statement specifically calls out the Zionist regime as the primary violator, accusing it of committing grave international crimes, including war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity in occupied territories.

The Ministry further alleges that the Zionist regime, with the complicity of the United States, has committed severe war crimes against Iran. It highlights incidents such as the killing of students and teachers in Minab, the attack on Lamerd stadium, and the bombing of residential homes in Qeshm as examples of the thousands of war crimes purportedly perpetrated by the US and the Zionist regime against Iran.

The statement accuses US leadership of blatant and systematic disregard for international humanitarian law, pointing to attacks on civilian infrastructure and repeated statements by US officials indicating a premeditated intent to violate these laws. The statement cites Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which classifies such acts as grave breaches, and concludes that both the physical and mental elements of these crimes are established.

The Ministry's statement ends by underscoring the seriousness of these allegations and the need for accountability under international humanitarian law.