UN experts on Thursday denigrated the continuation of hostilities between the US and Iran and warns that the resurgent conflict is undermining peace and significantly increasing the suffering of civilians in the region. Human rights authorities condemned the attacks and counterattacks and highlighted the impact on civilians. Attacks on ships operating in the Strait of Hormuz “endanger civilian sailors and freedom of navigation,” the experts warned.
The United Nations also highlighted that US attacks on Iranian infrastructure hit a desalination plant, caused power outages and damaged railways. There were also reports of attacks on Semnan airport, a wheat silo, a bottled water factory and “areas adjacent to a children’s cancer hospital in Ahvaz.” The Iranian Ministry of Health reported 50 dead and more than 500 injured.
The UN experts said civilians – particularly society’s most vulnerable, including children, women, refugees, people with disabilities and people living in poverty – are paying high costs:
The Iranian people are once again caught between renewed US attacks and their government’s internal repression… The dead include fishermen, night shift workers caught up in the strikes, and residents of informal settlements… Strikes against ports, energy supplies and transport links are cutting off food, medicine and livelihoods for communities in a country in great economic distress and are having serious implications for climate change.
In June, the White House announced that it had reached a peace deal with Iran. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) The deal with Iran contained 14 key points, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days of signing, the lifting of US sanctions against Iran and the introduction of a ceasefire, while the agreement will be concluded within a maximum time frame of 60 days and is “extendable by mutual agreement.”
However, the ceasefire collapsed after Iran carried out attacks on merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The US has since launched a series of measures retaliatory strikeswhich have increased in intensity and resulted in many casualties and significant damage to infrastructure.
The Geneva Conventions of 1949 state that civilians must remain protected during armed conflict, and Article 52 of Additional Protocol I describes protective measures for “civil objects”, including infrastructure. Although the United States is bound by the Geneva Conventions, this is the case not ratified Additional Protocol I. However, the US agreed through the Department of Defense Handbook on the Law of Warthis core Principles such as distinction, proportionality and precautions are part of it Customary international law.
The UN experts urged the parties to “de-escalate and return to negotiations” and reminded the parties of their obligations under international law.
