**Title: Iran Accuses US of Attacking Search-and-Rescue Vessels in Persian Gulf**
Iran has officially accused the United States of deliberately attacking two of its search-and-rescue vessels in the Persian Gulf, labeling the incident as a war crime. The allegations were made public in a letter sent by Gholamhossein Darzi, Iran’s deputy envoy to the United Nations, to several high-ranking officials, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Thursday, off the coast of Hormozgan Province, while the vessels, identified as Naji-15 and Naji-16, were engaged solely in search-and-rescue operations. According to Darzi, the vessels sustained significant damage during the attack, although he did not provide details regarding any casualties.
In his letter, Darzi emphasized that the primary mission of these vessels is to save lives at sea, regardless of the individuals' affiliations. He stated, “The deliberate targeting of vessels exclusively assigned to maritime search-and-rescue operations constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and the international law of the sea.” He further asserted that such actions amount to a war crime.
The Iranian envoy also noted that this incident is not isolated, claiming that Iranian rescue boats and marine ambulances have been targeted multiple times since the escalation of US-Israeli operations against Iran began on February 28. In early March, Iranian media reported that a US-Israeli strike had hit the only sea ambulance operating between Hormuz Island and Bandar Abbas, although that attack did not result in casualties.
The US has not yet responded to these specific accusations. However, US Central Command (CENTCOM) has acknowledged conducting operations aimed at degrading Iran’s maritime capabilities, including attacks on missile and drone storage facilities and coastal targets. The US maintains that these actions are necessary to protect civilian and commercial vessels from potential Iranian threats.
This latest accusation from Tehran occurs amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments. The US has been enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports, which Iran has condemned. Iranian officials have stated that vessels can transit through the strait if they comply with Iranian regulations.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing military operations and diplomatic maneuvers. Reports indicate that US President Donald Trump had suspended strikes on Iran after nearly two weeks of nightly bombings, a move that was interpreted as an effort to create space for diplomatic negotiations. However, some sources suggest that this pause was also influenced by concerns regarding the Pentagon's air defense missile inventory.
As the situation develops, both nations continue to navigate a complex landscape of military engagement and diplomatic efforts, with the potential for further escalation looming in the background.