Iran's Foreign Minister Accuses US and Israel of Illegal, Brutal War at UN Rights Session

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi accused the United States and Israel of launching an "illegal" and "brutal" war against Iran during an emergency session of the UN Human Rights Council.

The session responded to a February 28 airstrike on the Shajareh Tayyibeh school in Minab that killed dozens of civilians, mostly children. Araqchi stated: "This war is unjustifiable and savagely brutal."

Germany's Foreign Minister Johan Wadfoul said the US and Iran could hold direct negotiations soon in Pakistan, with preparations underway after prior indirect contacts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a defense cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, under which Ukraine will share drone expertise with five Middle East and Persian Gulf countries. Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

European powers have accused Russia of aiding Iran against US forces and plan to raise the matter with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the G7 summit in France. Britain's Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed concern over Russia-Iran military cooperation.

The United Arab Emirates intends to join a multinational naval task force aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, following an announcement by Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps of a ban on ship passages through the strait.

Airstrikes and shootings are ongoing in Iran and the West Bank, with at least seven civilians killed in Urmia and several Palestinians wounded in the West Bank and Jerusalem.