WANA (Jun 25) – Over the past 12 days, Israeli air and missile strikes on Iranian territory have targeted a range of civilian, medical, media, and nuclear-related sites. According to observers, these attacks represent clear breaches of international law.

 

Official reports indicate that:

627 civilians have been killed and 4,870 others injured during the attacks.

78 children are among the dead or seriously wounded.

An injured woman treated in a hospital, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Tehran, Iran, June 21, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

5 healthcare workers were killed, and 11 hospitals and medical centers were either damaged or rendered inoperable.

4 medical facilities were directly targeted, and 9 ambulances were bombed while conducting emergency relief operations.

A woman looks at an ambulance burned by Israeli attacks on a street, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Tehran, Iran, June 23, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

In the media sector, the headquarters of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) came under attack, leading to the deaths of 6 journalists and media workers, a development that has drawn criticism from international media organizations.

A view of the aftermath of Iran’s TV broadcaster building that was targeted in Tehran, Iran, June 19, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

In the energy and strategic infrastructure sector, two gas fields and four research centers related to peaceful nuclear activities were hit. According to Iranian sources, more than 12 Iranian nuclear scientists have been assassinated in connection with these strikes.

 

Urban authorities in Tehran report that over 120 residential units have been completely destroyed, and more than 500 others have sustained severe damage.

A view of the aftermath of an Israeli strike on a building last week, after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 25, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Amid growing concerns over potential attacks on cultural institutions, the National Museum of Iran has relocated over 3,000 historical artifacts from public display to secure storage. The museum’s director confirmed that around 100 large items have been shielded using fire-resistant covers and sandbag walls.

Around 100 large items in the National Museum of Iran have been shielded using fire-resistant covers and sandbag walls / WANA News Agency

Around 100 large items in the National Museum of Iran have been shielded using fire-resistant covers and sandbag walls / WANA News Agency

Violations of International Law

According to international law experts, the attacks have violated multiple legal provisions, including:

 

Article 2 of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity of states.

 

Article 51 of the UN Charter, which limits the right to self-defense to specific conditions following an armed attack.

 

The 1949 Geneva Conventions, particularly those protecting civilians, medical personnel, and humanitarian infrastructure.

 

Article 12 of the IAEA Statute, which forbids attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities.

 

The principle of journalist immunity in conflict zones.

 

And various provisions of international human rights law, which ban the deliberate killing of civilians.

A woman holds the clothes of one of the victims of the Israeli attacks in a street, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Tehran, Iran, June 23, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Analysts warn that targeting such facilities and individuals may constitute war crimes, carrying legal liability for the attacking state.

 

Yet, international bodies have so far failed to issue a decisive response. If such attacks continue unchecked, they risk undermining the legitimacy and foundations of international law itself.

 

The head of the Information Center at Iran’s Ministry of Health announced that Tehran and Kermanshah have recorded the highest number of wounded and those who lost their lives following recent incidents.

 

According to the official, Khuzestan, Lorestan, Isfahan, Markazi, East Azerbaijan, Hamedan, Zanjan, and Gilan rank third to tenth in terms of casualty figures.

 

The statement also noted that 86.1% of the fatalities occurred at the scene, while only 13.9% were pronounced dead upon arrival at hospitals — a figure that highlights the severity of the destruction, debris, and fire involved.