Addressing a meeting of SCO prime ministers in Tajikistan on Tuesday, Aref said humanitarian considerations must be strengthened in confronting economic warfare, adding that the right to education must also not be sacrificed to political and economic pressure.

He cited the deaths of 157 children at a school in Minab during the US-Israeli military aggression against Iran, saying education is a fundamental human right.

Aref said the United States and Israel violated international law and international humanitarian law during their February 28 military aggression against Iran.

He said the attacks killed the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and schoolchildren on the first day, as well as numerous other innocent civilians, and targeted residential, educational, and medical facilities and infrastructure.

He added that Iran’s Armed Forces and united people inflicted a heavy defeat on the aggressors.

The Iranian vice president also expressed appreciation for the SCO and its member states for condemning the aggressors and armed attacks, highlighting the need to hold those responsible accountable.

Aref also thanked the government and people of Tajikistan for hosting the meeting and praised the SCO secretary-general and his colleagues for facilitating the gathering.

He said it was encouraging to see cultural and humanitarian engagement within the organization, underscoring the importance of strengthening cooperation on humanitarian issues.

The remarks come amid heightened US military activity in West Asia and increasingly hostile rhetoric by American officials against the Islamic Republic.

Tehran has repeatedly warned that US bases and naval assets across the region will be targeted in response to any renewed aggression against Iranian territory.

4354**9417