Iran seeks to hold US, Israel accountable for 'war crimes' killing its leadership

Iran said Thursday it is seeking to hold the US and Israel accountable for the killing of its leadership, calling the actions violations of international law and “war crimes.”In an interview with Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the issue extends beyond Iran and concerns the broader international community.

“We must do this. And I think not only Iran but the entire international community is demanding accountability,” Baqaei said. “Because what the US and Israel have done is a crime against international peace and security. It's a war crime, a crime against humanity.”

He said the actions violate principles outlined in the Geneva Conventions, noting that all states are obligated to respect and ensure adherence to international humanitarian law.

“Since the atrocities committed by the US and Israel violate these principles, I believe all UN member states must call for the US and Israel to be held accountable,” he said.

Baqaei added that Tehran would pursue the matter through the “entire domestic system, as well as international law, to hold them accountable for the horrific crimes they have committed against the Iranian people.”

More than 3,300 people have been killed in joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran since Feb. 28, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. A two-week ceasefire between the two sides was mediated by Pakistan last week.

The US and Iran held rare direct talks in Pakistan this weekend aimed at ending their conflict, but the talks ended without any agreement.