Tehran [Iran], April 22 (ANI): Iranian ministers say civilian infrastructure, including schools and transport links, sustained significant damage during the 40-day conflict and recovery work is now under way, IRNA reports.
The Iranian Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development told IRNA that 24 bridges and intersections were struck during the 40-day war and none of those targeted were military. He said the bridges, built for public welfare, were damaged by attacks he blamed on the US-Israeli enemy, and reconstruction began immediately.
Education Minister Alireza Kazemi said a large number of damaged schools have already been repaired. According to IRNA, Kazemi reported that 775 of the 1,300 schools damaged in US-Israeli attacks have now been repaired. He added that while most schools suffered repairable damage, about 20 were destroyed. The worst-affected provinces included Tehran, Kermanshah, Isfahan, and Hormozgan. Reconstruction of the most severely damaged institutions is ongoing and expected to be completed by October.
Kazemi said education continued throughout the conflict through a mix of in-person and remote learning, including via the Iranian Television School. He also noted support for affected students and staff, including counselling services and commemorations for the 170 people killed in the missile attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh Girls’ School in Minab, most of them schoolgirls and their teachers.
On diplomacy, Iran has set a condition for returning to negotiations. Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani told Rudlaw News Network at UN headquarters, as reported by Tasnim News Agency, that Tehran is prepared to engage in talks only after the United States ends its naval blockade and halts what he called “ceasefire violations.”
Meanwhile, Axios, citing three US officials, reported that US President Donald Trump is giving Iran’s “warring factions” a brief window to coalesce around a counteroffer amid the ceasefire tensions. According to the report, Trump is willing to extend the ceasefire another three to five days to allow Iran to organize its position and has warned the extension will not be open-ended. US officials said the move aims to force Iranian leaders to consolidate a negotiating stance before the temporary truce expires, after which Washington could announce its next steps depending on Tehran’s response. (ANI)
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