Iranian Leadership Criticises US Over School Tragedy and Promises Retaliation

In Tehran on October 6, President Masoud Pejshkian and Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi each met Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, using the platform to denounce the United States over the deadly school attack in Minab.

Pejshkian described the February 28 incident, which claimed 168 young lives, as a “grave crime” for which Washington has offered no explanation. He accused the U.S. of deploying a cycle of sanctions, threats and broken promises, noting that three attacks on Iranian soil have followed any diplomatic overtures.

Araghchi highlighted that the joint U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities on February 28 triggered a series of Iranian missile and drone responses, reinforcing Tehran’s control over the Hormuz Strait.

Both Iranian officials emphasized that Tehran is prepared to defend its territorial integrity and will pursue all diplomatic avenues to keep tensions from escalating further. Mirzoyan praised the "strategic" nature of Armenia‑Iran ties and assured continued collaboration, while Iran’s parliamentary speaker reiterated that Armenian territory will not be used against Iranian interests.