Iran Slams France Over Mahsa Amini Remarks, Questions Response to Minab School Bombing

Iran has criticised France over its continued references to the death of Mahsa Amini, accusing Paris of showing “crocodile tears” while questioning its response to the deadly bombing of a school in Minab. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi directed the criticism at French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, arguing that France has been vocal about human rights issues in Iran but has not shown the same level of concern over Iranian civilians killed in the Minab attack.

The February 28 strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab, southern Iran, killed and injured a large number of people, including children. Tehran has blamed US forces for the attack. A United Nations fact-finding mission has since said there were reasonable grounds to believe US forces were responsible for the strike. The mission reported that more than 150 people were killed, including around 120 children, and said the attack raised serious concerns under international humanitarian law.

Iran has repeatedly used the Minab incident to challenge Western criticism of its own human rights record, arguing that civilian casualties caused by foreign military action should receive equal international attention. France, however, has rejected the suggestion that it ignored the Minab victims. During discussions at the UN Human Rights Council, French representatives expressed condolences to the families of those killed and said those responsible should be held accountable. France also called for respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians.

The dispute is closely linked to France’s long-standing criticism of Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian-Kurdish woman, died after being detained by Iran’s morality police. Her death triggered nationwide protests and the wider “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement.

French officials have repeatedly raised Amini’s case while criticising Iran’s treatment of women and protesters. Tehran has strongly objected to what it describes as selective Western attention to human rights. The latest exchange comes as relations between Iran and France remain tense. Paris has recently protested Iranian actions involving French diplomatic and cultural facilities in Tehran, adding to a series of disputes between the two countries.

The disagreement over the Minab bombing highlights a broader diplomatic conflict over civilian protection, human rights and accountability during the ongoing regional crisis. Iran is pressing Western governments to address civilian deaths resulting from military operations, while France continues to raise concerns about Iran’s domestic human rights record alongside calls for the protection of civilians in armed conflicts.