Following the attacks of the Zionist regime and the US, the NGO Center for Peace and Environment

The essence and nature of the Zionist regime of Israel is bloodshed and
occupation, with no room for peace in its vocabulary. This has been Israel's approach since its 70-year existence in the Middle East. Now, however, it has broadened the scope of its aggression and, backed by global powers, has targeted our beloved Iran with a 12-day invasion of our land and civilization.
In times of war, all attention is focused on the death and destruction of humanity, but this is not the entirety of the "ongoing tragedy." It is also the beginning of the slow death of those who survive, as everyday priorities weigh heavily on communities, preventing anyone from considering the gradual demise of the survivors, whether human or environmental. Wars and armed conflicts destroy natural resources, contaminate water supplies from explosions, and set fire to forests and pastures due to incoming projectiles; thus, they obliterate the capital of human life and health.
In the aftermath of extensive and devastating wars globally, laws pertaining to environmental humanitarian rights have emerged related to armed conflicts. The most significant document in this regard is Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, adopted in 1949 and 1977, which in Article 35, paragraph 3, addresses the prohibition of using weapons harmful to the environment, and Article 55 emphasizes the protection of natural environments during conflicts.
Furthermore, the statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), established 20 years ago in The Hague to address war crimes, states that environmental destruction is a war crime under Article 8. Although, unfortunately, despite the condemnation of Benjamin Netanyahu as a war criminal by this court for genocide in Gaza, no deterrent actions have been taken; this should not prevent the victimized communities from seeking justice.
In light of such unfortunate events, the United Nations declared November 6, 2001, as a global day to draw attention to and increase sensitivities regarding the evident and hidden dangers of wars on nature and the environment, which are, in fact, the refuge of humans and the sustainability of their economy and security, known as the "International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict." Particularly in the recent invasion of our land, peaceful nuclear technology sites have been attacked with a high risk of contamination, and several nuclear scientists, as part of the nation's elite and significant assets, have been assassinated by foreign aggressors. Additionally, some unconfirmed reports in recent days indicate the possible use of depleted uranium in Israel's attacks on Iranian territory, which due to its high risk, along with other illegal actions such as bombing civilians, women, and children, constitutes a war crime.
The proud and enlightened nation of Iran, which patiently turned another glorious page in the history of this land during the 12 days of unjust war, is now certainly considering the damages and risks posed to the country’s environment in its reconstruction plans. Fortunately, environmental personalities and civil society organizations have already raised necessary
 
 warnings in this regard. The Vice President and head of the Environmental Protection Organization have emphasized that "the organization will examine and document the environmental damages and actions for compensating and reducing these damages, as well as analyzing the undertaken actions with a view to future potential risks, requiring the opinions and collaboration of scholars, specialists, NGOs, and independent activists."
It is clear that environmental damages, upon documentation for the purpose of claiming reparations, should be pursued in international forums related to environmental and criminal issues. The United Nations also has the duty to condemn the actions of the United States and Israel for damaging the regional environment.
The Center for Peace and Environment expresses its readiness for any form of voluntary cooperation with the government and hopes that the civilized and wise behaviors demonstrated recently by the people and officials, in terms of environmental concern and the protection and remediation of damages, continue.
Center for Peace and Environment