Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has alleged that a “devastating” U.S. strike on a sports hall in Lamerd killed 24 people on the first day of the conflict, including a two-year-old girl and several teenage volleyball players.…....
The statement, reported through Iranian official channels and cited by international media, claims the attack targeted a civilian sports facility where young athletes were present at the time.
According to Iranian officials, the victims included children and teenagers who were either training or present inside the hall when the incident occurred.
The claims form part of broader accusations by Iran that civilian infrastructure has been targeted during ongoing hostilities involving United States and its allies.
Iranian authorities described the incident as a serious violation of international law and called it a “war crime,” urging accountability for those responsible.
However, independent reporting and earlier assessments of the Lamerd incident have presented varying casualty figures and details. Some reports have previously estimated lower death tolls and described the strike as part of a wider wave of attacks during the early phase of the conflict.
At least one publicly available investigation referenced by international outlets suggested that a sports hall in Lamerd was hit during military operations, with casualties including children and young athletes, though exact figures and responsibility remain disputed.
The incident has intensified already high tensions between Tehran and Washington, with both sides continuing to exchange accusations over civilian harm and military conduct.
International observers have repeatedly called for restraint and independent verification of battlefield reports, especially in cases involving civilian casualties.
As the situation develops, conflicting narratives from all sides continue to circulate, making independent confirmation of events and casualty figures increasingly difficult. The claims surrounding the Lamerd sports hall strike remain under scrutiny as global attention focuses on the broader escalation of the conflict and its humanitarian impact.
