In a post on his X account marking the start of the Iranian school year on Wednesday, Baqaei shared images of children from Minab who were martyred in the attack, saying their absence from classrooms is a painful reminder of the civilian toll of the US-Israeli assault on Iran.

“Today is the first day of Mehr, the day Iranian schools reopen: and these are the innocent faces of the children of Minab, martyred in the savage American Tomahawk missiles attack of 28 February. They should have been here today, bright-eyed and joyful, celebrating the start of a new school year. Instead their slain bodies lie buried in the earth,” the spokesman wrote.

“The government whose president mockingly flouts international law from the UN podium bears responsibility for this unforgivable war crime. All who stood silent and looked away share in that responsibility,” he added.

“The Iranian people will never forget these angelic faces. They will never forgive their killers,” Baqaei stated.