A European parliamentarian has called for an investigation into the US-Israeli massacre of Minab schoolgirls, saying it could well have been a planned strike.

The US and Israel launched an unprovoked war on Iran on February 28, killing 168 children and teachers in airstrikes on the Minab School in southern Iran on the first day of the war.

The attack on the school in Minab must be investigated, said Milan Uhrik, a member of the European Parliament. 

Speaking at a funeral rally titled Angels of Minab, held outside the Iranian embassy in Brussels, the MEP said he suspected that the attack was carried out deliberately.

Uhrik said it is obvious to everyone what the Israeli regime is capable of doing. 

He cited the Israeli genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as an example of what the Israeli regime forces are doing to civilians.

Uhrik said the attacks targeting Lebanese children, women, and the elderly are other examples of the Israeli forces' brutality.

The Israelis are capable of attacking civilians, intimidating people, spreading fear among the population, and thus trying to win the war by any means, Uhrik said, reiterating that the attack on the Minab school could well have been a planned strike that should be investigated.

According to Uhrik, the Minab school airstrikes constitute a war crime, and the European Union and European countries should not be involved in such criminal actions.

He said that he had sent a letter to the European Commission in this regard.

The Slovak politician slammed the European Commission and European leaders for applying double standards to such crimes.

He said the Europeans try to avoid probes into these crimes because they are weak, adding that European leaders are not capable of showing resistance against the aggressive policies dictated by Washington and Tel Aviv.

However, the war on Iran is triggering widespread international condemnation and exposing deep cracks in the Western alliance.

About 50 activists came to express their solidarity with the people of Iran during the funeral rally in Brussels.

Press TV’s website 

The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on ten individuals and companies, several of them based in China and Hong Kong, for their alleged involvement in helping Iran obtain weapons and the necessary raw materials for its Shahed drones and ballistic missiles.

This action, reported by Reuters, occurred just days before US President Donald Trump's planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and amid stalled efforts to resolve the conflict with Iran.

In a statement, the Treasury Department claimed the economic measures aim to hinder Iran's military industrial base weapons production capacity. 

The department also claimed that it will take action against any foreign entities supporting what it called illicit Iranian commerce, including airlines, and to implement secondary sanctions on foreign financial institutions that assist Iran, even those connected to China's independent oil refineries.

According to Brett Erickson of Obsidian Risk Advisors, these sanctions are designed to curb Iran's capacity to threaten maritime vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and regional allies. 

Shipping traffic through this critical chokepoint, essential for global oil and natural gas transport, has drastically reduced since the war began, contributing to a significant increase in energy prices. 

Erickson further commented that the sanctions, as currently implemented, are narrowly focused, potentially affording Iran more time to adjust its procurement methods and find alternative suppliers.

He also noted that Chinese banks crucial to Iran's economy have not yet been targeted.

Among the sanctioned entities are China-based Yushita Shanghai International Trade Co Ltd, for allegedly facilitating Iran's weapon purchases from China; Dubai-based Elite Energy FZCO, for transferring millions of dollars to a Hong Kong firm to support procurement; Hong Kong-based HK Hesin Industry Co Ltd and Belarus-based Armory Alliance LLC, for acting as intermediaries; Hong Kong-based Mustad Ltd, for aiding the procurement of weapons for Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps; Iran-based Pishgam Electronic Safeh Co, for procuring drone motors; and China-based Hitex Insulation Ningbo Co Ltd, for supplying materials used in ballistic missiles.

In an unprecedented act of defiance, China last week pushed back against Washington’s sanctions on Chinese refiners buying Iranian crude, invoking a “blocking rule” for the first time, directing companies not to comply with US sanctions.

Likewise, last month, China joined Russia to veto a US-backed resolution at the UN Security Council targeting Iran.

Press TV’s website

Iran's ambassador to the United Nations underlines the Islamic Republic's "inherent right" to self-defense and taking due protective measures in the face of the US's hostile measures targeting the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Amir-Saeid Iravani made the remarks in a letter addressed to the UN secretary-general and the president of the world body's Security Council on Friday.

The envoy cited aggressive military actions carried out recently by American troops against two Iranian oil tankers near the port of Jask and the Strait of Hormuz, as well as attacks against several locations in Iran’s coastal areas overlooking the waterway.

"These aggressive and provocative acts, which the president of the United States has openly acknowledged, constitute a clear violation of the April 8, 2026 ceasefire and a blatant breach of Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations," he noted.

Donald Trump announced the ceasefire on that day following 40 days of unprovoked aggression against Iran. He later ordered continuation of an illegal blockade of Iranian vessels and ports in violation of the ceasefire's terms.

'Catastrophic consequences'

The official cautioned that the consequences of continuation of such aggression could be "catastrophic," extending far beyond the region and undermining international peace and security, "for which the United States will bear full responsibility."

Iravani further expressed strong condemnation of the blockade, during which American forces have ventured repeated attacks against Iranian commercial vessels, resorted to their unlawful seizure, and taken those on board hostage.

"Such unlawful acts amount to piracy and violate the international law and the UN Charter," he asserted.

"Such conduct is wholly incompatible with the responsibilities of a permanent member of the Security Council that claims commitment to freedom of navigation. Rather than safeguarding maritime security, these actions undermine it and violate the fundamental principles of the international law."

'US favors coercion over diplomacy'

Such inclination towards aggression, the official stated, indicates that the United States prefers coercion over restraint, diplomacy, and dialogue, which are urgently and immediately needed.

Iran calls on the United Nations to explicitly and unequivocally condemn the unlawful actions, and urge the United States to abide by its obligations under the international law and refrain from any further provocative actions, Iravani concluded.

Press TV’s website

At least twenty people, including a civil defense rescuer, have been martyred after Israeli aerial raids targeted a number of areas in southern Lebanon, despite a ceasefire between the Beirut government and the Tel Aviv regime.

The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health announced in a statement that an Israeli airstrike killed four people, including two women, and injured eight others in the town of Toura in the Tyre district on Friday.

Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) reported that rescue operations were still going on in order to recover a girl trapped beneath the rubble.

According to the report, Lebanese Red Cross teams have discovered the bodies of two young men after an Israeli assault struck the town of Blat in the Marjayoun district.

NNA added that Israeli strikes also hit other districts in southern Lebanon, namely Nabatieh, Bint Jbeil, and Sison. The attacks claimed the lives of several people in various towns and villages.

The General Directorate of Civil Defense stated that a civil defense member was killed after an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle targeted a car as it was traveling along a road connecting Kfarchuba to Kfarhamam in the Hasbaya district.

The Lebanese Health Ministry said 50 people were killed in the past 24 hours in Israeli strikes against southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, issued evacuation orders aimed at residents of the towns and villages of Nmairiyeh, Tayr Felsay, Hallousiyyeh, Upper Hallousiyyeh, Toura, and Maarakeh in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli army also said two soldiers were wounded, including one seriously, after a drone launched by Hezbollah fighters hit an area in the northern side of the occupied territories.

The Lebanese resistance movement said it conducted a string of attacks in the past 24 hours, targeting the positions of Israeli occupation troops in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah launched missiles at a military base in the northern part of the occupied lands, and targeted an army vehicle in the town of Deir Siryan, as well as Israeli troops on the road to Adshit al-Qusayr.

Lebanon and the Israeli regime extended their ceasefire for three weeks after a high-level meeting at the White House, US President Donald Trump said on April 23.

Nearly 2,500 people have been killed ⁠in Lebanon since the Israeli regime went on the offensive following Hezbollah’s March 2 operation, according to Lebanese authorities.

Israel is occupying a belt of the south that extends 5 ​to 10 kilometers into Lebanon. The Israeli regime’s military reiterated a warning to residents of southern Lebanon not to cross into the area.

Press TV’s website

When a person goes on Hajj and enters Mecca and Medina, he visualizes in his mind the descent of Gabriel and the angels upon the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), the sacrifices and struggles of the Muslims, the building of Mecca by Prophet Abraham and Ishmael, the conversion of Ali (peace be upon him) and Khadijah (peace be upon him), the resistance of the Muslims in the tribe of Abu Talib, and hundreds of spiritual events and movements. And this makes all those movements survive throughout history. And the survival of these movements strengthens Islam and Muslims. Therefore, one of the wisdoms of legislating Hajj in Islam is to renew the memory of the era of the Messenger of God. Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) also says about the reason and philosophy of legislating Hajj: “Hajj was legislated so that the works of the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his family) and his news would be known and remembered and not forgotten.”

In some narrations, the philosophy of legislating Hajj has been introduced as a test for God's servants. By legislating Hajj, God tests people's adherence to His command. Being in this hot land, wearing special clothes, not using the shade, giving up hunting, having sex with one's spouse, and dozens of other things are all for testing and trial.

Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) says: "The Kaaba is a house that God has asked His servants to come to and worship Him. And He wants to test them with this act in fulfilling their duties and obedience."

When a person goes on the Hajj journey, he becomes more familiar with God's great signs. And this makes God's servants more humble before God's greatness. Amir al-Mu'minin Ali (peace be upon him) says: "God made Hajj a sign of people's humility before God's greatness."

Man is in danger at all times and may be tempted by Satan at any time, so God has given man suitable opportunities to repent to God and seek forgiveness. He has placed the night and day of Friday among the nights and days, the blessed month of Ramadan among the months, and the journey to Hajj among the years and lifespans, so that His servants, if they are deceived by Satan and are overcome by the desires of the soul, may seek refuge in God and seek forgiveness.

The Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) says in describing Hajj and Umrah:"وَیَرْخَضانِ الذنب” meaning: “Hajj and Umrah purify sins.”

The philosophy of human creation is worship and knowledge of God Almighty and achieving the desired perfection: “I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.”

Hajj is a type of worship and an example of its perfect examples. Therefore, one of the wisdoms of legislating Hajj is worship, which is the philosophy of human creation. In a narration from Imam Sadiq and Imam Baqir (peace be upon them), it is narrated: “God loved to be worshipped in this way, so He created the Kaaba on earth and made it obligatory for His servants to circumambulate it. And He created Bayt al-Ma’mur in the sky, and seventy thousand angels enter it every day and will not leave the state of circumambulating it until the Day of Judgment.”

God made Hajj obligatory because it is a perfect example of worship and submission.

A spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said on Thursday that Iranian forces gave an immediate and decisive response to a series of US military aggressions in the strategic waters of the Strait of Hormuz and along the country's southern coastline.

In a statement, Ebrahim Zolfaghari noted that the "aggressive, terrorist, and outlaw" US military, in violation of a ceasefire, targeted an Iranian oil tanker.

The vessel was transiting from Iran's coastal waters in the Jask region, heading towards the Strait of Hormuz.

In a separate but simultaneous incident, another Iranian ship came under attack while entering the Strait of Hormuz, directly opposite the UAE's Fujairah port.

Concurrent with these fresh acts of aggression, the spokesperson said that US forces, operating in coordination with certain countries in the region, launched airstrikes against civilian areas in the coastal provinces.

These aerial attacks reportedly targeted locations along the coasts of Bandar Khamir, Sirik, and Qeshm Island.

According to the statement, Iran's response was immediate and decisive.

The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran launched a swift counterattack, engaging US military vessels east of the Strait of Hormuz and south of the port of Bandar Chabahar.

The Iranian operation inflicted "significant damage" on the American warships, he said.

The spokesperson warned that the "criminal and aggressive" US and its allies must recognize that the Islamic Republic of Iran will, as it has in the past, deliver a crushing response to any act of aggression or violation "powerfully and without the slightest hesitation."