The Iranian Red Crescent Society has formally called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open an investigation into alleged war crimes linked to recent military strikes that it claims targeted civilian infrastructure across Iran. The humanitarian organisation argues that the attacks caused widespread damage to residential communities, medical facilities, schools, and humanitarian assets, raising serious concerns under international humanitarian law.
In a letter dated March 7, 2026, the organisation addressed its request to the ICC prosecutor at the court’s headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands. The letter, which was later shared publicly on the organisation’s X (formerly Twitter) platform, outlines the group’s concerns and calls for an official criminal examination of the reported incidents.
According to the humanitarian organisation, the military operations in question were allegedly carried out by forces from the United States and Israel. The Iranian Red Crescent claimed that several of the strikes hit residential areas and facilities used for humanitarian purposes, thereby putting civilians and aid workers at significant risk.
The organisation said the letter was submitted as part of its responsibility to protect civilians and humanitarian personnel during armed conflicts. It explained that the request was made in accordance with international humanitarian law, which sets out clear rules intended to limit the effects of war on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
In the document, the Iranian Red Crescent stated that its request was submitted “in the discharge of its humanitarian mandate and in reliance upon the binding principles and rules of international humanitarian law.” The organisation stressed that its appeal to the ICC was not political in nature but rather a humanitarian effort aimed at ensuring accountability and preventing further violations during conflicts.
According to the letter, the request for investigation is based on extensive information gathered by the organisation following the attacks. This information includes reports from field-based relief workers, operational documentation collected during emergency response operations, and data compiled by the Iranian Red Crescent from its internal monitoring systems.
The organisation said these sources collectively point to a pattern of damage affecting civilian areas and infrastructure that are ordinarily protected under international law. It alleged that several categories of civilian facilities were either directly targeted or struck indiscriminately during the reported military operations.
“According to field reports from relief workers, operational documentation, and data recorded by the Iranian Red Crescent Society, a wide range of residential areas, medical facilities, schools, humanitarian facilities, vital urban infrastructure, and public places were directly or indiscriminately targeted,” the letter stated.
The humanitarian organisation provided detailed figures that it said were compiled from consolidated records documenting the aftermath of the attacks. According to the data included in the report, at least 6,668 civilian structures were affected during the strikes.
Among these, the organisation reported that approximately 5,535 residential units were either destroyed or severely damaged. Such destruction, it said, has had a significant impact on families and communities, leaving many civilians displaced or without adequate shelter.
The report also indicated that commercial infrastructure suffered considerable damage. According to the organisation’s records, about 1,041 commercial buildings were affected by the attacks. These damages, it noted, could have broader economic consequences by disrupting local businesses and livelihoods.
Particularly concerning for humanitarian organisations was the reported impact on healthcare and educational facilities. The Iranian Red Crescent stated that at least 14 medical centres sustained damage during the attacks. The destruction or disruption of medical facilities could significantly hinder access to healthcare services for civilians, especially during emergencies.
In addition to the medical centres, the organisation reported that 65 schools were also damaged in the strikes. The destruction of educational institutions not only disrupts learning but also affects the safety and well-being of students and teachers.
The report also highlighted the direct impact on humanitarian operations. According to the Iranian Red Crescent, 11 facilities affiliated with the organisation were damaged or targeted during the military actions. These facilities are typically used to coordinate humanitarian relief efforts, distribute aid, and support vulnerable populations during crises.
The organisation further reported that three emergency response vehicles belonging to the Iranian Red Crescent were damaged in the course of the attacks. Emergency vehicles play a crucial role in delivering medical assistance, evacuating injured individuals, and transporting aid supplies during disasters and conflicts.
Even more troubling, the organisation stated that several of its personnel were affected by the incidents. According to the report, seven Iranian Red Crescent relief workers were either killed or injured while carrying out their humanitarian duties during the attacks.
The organisation emphasised that humanitarian workers and facilities are specifically protected under international humanitarian law. These protections are intended to ensure that relief workers can safely assist civilians during armed conflicts without becoming targets themselves.
Because of these alleged incidents, the Iranian Red Crescent argued that the situation warrants a thorough legal examination by the ICC. The organisation said the reported damage to civilian infrastructure and the harm caused to humanitarian workers could potentially constitute violations of international humanitarian law.
Under the rules of armed conflict, deliberate attacks against civilians, civilian infrastructure, medical facilities, and humanitarian personnel are generally prohibited. If such actions are proven to have occurred intentionally or recklessly, they may qualify as war crimes under international law.
The humanitarian organisation therefore urged the ICC prosecutor to carefully review the information provided and determine whether a formal investigation should be initiated. It stressed that an independent legal assessment by the court would help establish the facts and determine whether international legal standards were violated.
According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the request reflects its commitment to safeguarding civilians and humanitarian workers in times of conflict. By bringing the matter before the ICC, the organisation said it hopes to contribute to greater accountability for alleged violations of international humanitarian law.
The organisation also noted that ensuring accountability for such incidents is essential not only for justice but also for strengthening protections for civilians and aid workers in future conflicts. By addressing alleged violations through international legal mechanisms, humanitarian groups believe that the global community can help reinforce respect for the laws governing armed conflict.
In conclusion, the Iranian Red Crescent Society called on the ICC to examine the evidence presented and determine whether the reported attacks warrant a criminal investigation. The organisation maintained that protecting civilian lives, humanitarian workers, and essential infrastructure remains a fundamental obligation under international law and must be upheld by all parties involved in armed conflicts.
