TEHRAN – Iran’s Red Crescent Society has thanked China for providing $200,000 in emergency humanitarian assistance to support the families of scores of children and teachers who were killed in a U.S. missile strike on an elementary school in southern Iran.

The U.S. missile attack targeted Shajareh Tayyebeh School in the city of Minab, Hormozgan Province, on the first day of the U.S.-Israeli assault against Iran on February 28. At least 168 people, most of them students aged between 7 and 12, were killed and dozens more injured.

In a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Iran Cong Peiwu at the Chinese Embassy in Tehran on Sunday, Razieh Alishvandi, deputy for international affairs of the Red Crescent Society of Iran, hailed Beijing’s humanitarian move.

“Protecting civilians, especially children, teachers, and educational centers, based on the principles of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, is a fundamental obligation for all parties involved in armed conflicts,” Alishvandi told the Chinese ambassador.

She added: “Targeting civilians and educational facilities, in addition to violating international laws, has irreparable humanitarian and social consequences and challenges fundamental human values.”

Referring to the importance of solidarity among nations in times of crisis, Alishvandi stated: “In such circumstances, the humanitarian action of the Chinese Red Cross Society in supporting the families of the teachers and students who lost their lives in Minab is valuable and commendable.”

She said the Chinese Red Cross Society’s move to allocate $200,000 in financial assistance to support the families of the deceased teachers and students “sends a clear message of sympathy and solidarity from the Chinese nation with the people of Iran and shows that human values can bring nations closer together beyond borders.”

Alishvandi expressed hope that relief and humanitarian cooperation between the Iranian Red Crescent Society and the Chinese Red Cross Society will further expand.

Chinese ambassador: China stands by the Iranian people

The Chinese ambassador, for his part, expressed sympathy with the people of Iran and the families of the victims and condemned attacks on civilian centers, particularly schools and hospitals.

Cong Peiwu stressed that attacking civilians, especially children and educational centers amounts to a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

“Humanitarianism is a concept that goes beyond geographical borders, and nations can stand by one another in difficult conditions.”

Underscoring Iran-China friendly relations, Cong Peiwu said Beijing has always emphasized respect for national sovereignty and the legitimate rights of countries.

“The Chinese nation stands beside the people of Iran and seeks peace and tranquility for all nations,” the Chinese envoy pointed out.

Earlier this month, the Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed deep condolences regarding the deaths of students in the elementary school in Minab and extended sincere sympathies to their families.

“Attacking schools and harming civilians seriously violate international humanitarian law and cross the baseline of humanity and human conscience,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said last week.