Iranian sports community condemns U.S.-Israeli strikes on civilian facilities

A representative of the Iranian sports community on Friday condemned the United States and Israel for attacking the country's civilian facilities, saying that such acts constitute a flagrant violation of international law.

The remarks were made at a press conference held amid the debris of the Azadi Sports Complex, where a 12,000-seat stadium, primarily used for volleyball matches, was destroyed in a U.S. -Israeli strike on March 5.

According to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, the dormitory and new building of Iran's Cycling Federation, as well as a main swimming pool and parts of the Rowing Federation located in the complex, were also destroyed in the attack.

"We emphasize that sports activities are purely civilian in nature, and sports venues are places for training, competition, and public gatherings. Under no circumstances should they be regarded as military targets. Attacks on such venues must cease immediately. Under international law, striking sports facilities constitutes a flagrant violation of international law. The protection of civilian areas is not an option but an international obligation. Respect for humanitarian principles should not be limited by geographical location," said Tajernia, a representative of the Iranian sporting community.

Multiple explosions rocked northeastern Tehran at around 16:00 on Friday, according to a China Media Group (CMG) crew reporting from the city. The sounds of fighter jets and air raid sirens were heard.

Citing Iranian sources, China Media Group (CMG) said the United States and Israel carried out airstrikes on multiple locations across Iran on Friday afternoon, including Shahid Beheshti University and Mehrabad Airport in Tehran.

Multiple explosions rocked northeastern Tehran at around 16:00, according to the CMG crew reporting from the city. The sounds of fighter jets and air raid sirens were heard.

An attack on south Iran's port of Chabahar killed one person, damaged four vessels, and destroyed several buildings. The strike marked the second assault on the port within 24 hours.

Iranian sports community condemns U.S.-Israeli strikes on civilian facilities

Global food commodity prices climbed for a second consecutive month in March, driven mainly by higher energy costs linked to escalating conflict in the Middle East, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said in report released on Friday.

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a basket of globally traded food commodities, averaged 128.5 points in March, up 2.4 percent from February and 1.0 percent above its level a year ago.

According to the report, the FAO Vegetable Oil Index and Sugar Price Index showed the largest increases, up 5.1 percent and 7.2 percent, respectively.

The FAO Cereal Price Index increased by 1.5 percent from the previous month, driven primarily by higher world wheat prices, which rose 4.3 percent.

The FAO Meat Price Index rose by 1.0 percent from the previous month, and the FAO All-Rice Price Index declined by 3.0 percent in March, according to the report.

FAO stated that rising energy and fertilizer prices have been driving up agricultural input costs.

If the conflict stretches beyond 40 days, farmers will have to choose to farm the same with fewer inputs, plant less, or switch to less intensive fertilizer crops, according to FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero.

These choices will hit future yields and shape food supply and commodity prices for the rest of this year and beyond, Torero said.

Global food prices rise for 2nd consecutive month in March amid Middle East conflict: FAO