UNSC reform 'not an option, but a necessity', Iran's Araghchi tells BRICS meet

Iranian foreign minister accuses US, Israel of targeting schools and civilians in strikes that began February 28

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday called for sweeping reforms of the United Nations Security Council, describing the overhaul as essential for the world body's survival, while launching sharp criticisms against the United States and Israel over military strikes targeting Iranian civilians and infrastructure.

Speaking on the second day of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in the Indian capital, Araghchi accused both nations of deliberately attacking schools, refineries, bridges, and cultural sites in a campaign he said began on the morning of February 28.

Military strikes and civilian casualties

According to Araghchi, the military aggression commenced at 9:30 am on Saturday, February 28, and did not allow sufficient time for schools to evacuate students. He alleged that the Minab School was struck in a second attack before children could be moved to safety.

"The Iranian government immediately announced a nationwide school closure after the terrorist act against the Supreme Leader and the beginning of the military aggression," Araghchi said. "But the aggressors did not even give children half an hour to survive."

The foreign minister claimed that refineries, petrochemical complexes, railway networks, stadiums, energy transmission lines, and industrial facilities have also been targeted. Officials familiar with his remarks said these allegations were among the most detailed Iran has presented at a multilateral forum to date.

Double standards condemned

Araghchi urged international organisations and member governments to reject what he described as selective application of humanitarian law. He warned that silence over civilian suffering in Iran could set a dangerous precedent globally.

"If today we remain silent in the face of the suffering of the Iranian people, in the face of the unjustly shed blood of citizens, in the face of the terror of children in schools in Minab, and in the face of attacks on infrastructure, tomorrow this cycle of violence and instability could spread to any other part of the world," he said.

The Iranian minister stressed that a child's life in Minab holds equal value to a child's life anywhere else. Sources present at the session said his remarks drew mixed reactions from participating delegations.

UNSC reform a necessity

Shifting focus to global governance, Araghchi described reform of the United Nations Security Council as unavoidable. He argued that the current structure serves the interests of a few powers at the expense of fair representation.

"We seek a Council that truly represents all continents and regions of the world, a Council in which power is distributed responsibly and fairly, and not just in the interests of a few abusive and aggressive powers," he said.

The Iranian foreign minister also highlighted BRICS as having the potential to become the backbone of genuine multilateralism. His comments come as the grouping continues discussions on expanding its influence in global decision-making.

India's role and meeting context

The BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting, being held in New Delhi, has brought together top diplomats from member nations including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa alongside recently joined countries. The session titled "Rebuilding the Global Order: The Necessity of Reforming International Governance and Revival of Multilateralism" has seen sharp exchanges over the past two days.

Local authorities confirmed heightened security around the venue in the capital's diplomatic enclave. The meeting is scheduled to conclude Saturday afternoon.