The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has submitted reports to international bodies alleging violations of international humanitarian law by Israel, according to a senior IRCS official.
Ali Masoudian, Director of Principles, Law and Humanitarian Law at the IRCS, said that the organization has engaged with both the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
"We have some sessions with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Also we previously reported to them, submitted some reports outlining the violations of international humanitarian law, especially those enshrined in the Geneva Conventions, additional protocols. So also we submitted the report to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in the ICC, where the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), as an NGO, submitted some information to them regarding the violations of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court," said Masoudian.
While acknowledging the ICC may not be able to exercise jurisdiction over the case due to territorial and personal limitations, Masoudian said it was right to notify international bodies of potential breaches of international criminal and humanitarian law.
"It is true that the ICC may not exercise its jurisdiction over this case because it lacks territorial and personal jurisdiction, but we exercised our right to inform them of the violations of International Criminal law and also the IHL (international humanitarian law),” he said.
Masoudian recalled being in the immediate aftermath of an Israeli airstrike which he managed to escape unscathed but which was very close to major medical facilities.
"You know when I take down the stairs, immediately I saw many of the ambulances of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the firefighters came in, also the police," he said.
"We were, you know, in a very good health. I mean ourselves evacuated from that building, but I don't know what was going on to the sick that were under operation maybe or were hospitalized during that area and you know that according to Geneva Conventions and the customary international humanitarian law targeting places in the vicinity of hospitals, which can have collateral damage also to the hospitals, is strictly prohibited but this happened for so many times," he said.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society is leading emergency operations to support communities affected by recent Israeli attacks, providing both physical and psychological assistance.
Iranian Red Crescent official accuses Israel of breaching humanitarian law
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
