UN Experts Cite Possible US War Crimes in Iran Strikes
A UN-backed fact-finding mission says there are reasonable grounds to believe the US committed war crimes in two airstrikes in Iran in February, killing at
A United Nations-backed team of human rights experts says there are reasonable grounds to believe the United States committed war crimes during two airstrikes in Iran in February. The attacks, which included a strike on a school, killed at least 178 civilians. The experts also concluded that Iran's theocratic government has committed crimes against humanity against its own population.
The findings are part of a report published Thursday by the independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran. The mission was created in 2022 by the UN Human Rights Council. While the report is not legally binding, it adds to the body of international evidence and could be used in future justice efforts.
Details of the Alleged US Strikes
The mission's allegations center on two specific US military actions on February 28. The experts concluded the building of the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab was the intended target of a Tomahawk missile strike, not collateral damage. Iranian state media reported 168 people, mostly children, were killed there.
On the same day, the mission alleges the US used Precision Strike Missiles that dispersed tungsten pellets over a sports complex and residential area in Lamerd. The UN-backed team says this attack killed 22 civilian men and women. US Central Command has denied responsibility for the Lamerd strike.
The mission stated these actions constituted the war crime of launching indiscriminate attacks resulting in civilian loss. The Trump administration has not accepted responsibility for the school bombing, nor released the findings of a Pentagon investigation.
Accusations Against Iran's Government
The report delivers a severe indictment of the Iranian government's domestic conduct. It states that killings by state security forces have occurred on a staggering scale. The experts documented a pattern of violent repression over the last two years.
Security forces fired assault rifles into crowds, beat protesters, and arrested healthcare workers. Detainees faced torture and were deprived of legal counsel, leaving families unaware of their whereabouts. The Tehran government also intensified its use of the death penalty.
The report concluded that more than 70 people, including five women and three boys, remain at imminent risk of execution. These gross violations, the experts found, amount to crimes against humanity including murder, imprisonment, and torture.
Investigation and Recommendations
The fact-finding mission, chaired by jurist Sara Hossain of Bangladesh, built its report on a victims-centered approach. Investigators conducted 73 interviews with people inside and outside Iran. They also reviewed documentation, satellite imagery, photographs, videos, and information from credible organizations.
Their work was partially impeded by the ongoing conflict, internet shutdowns, and a lack of full cooperation from both governments. Nearly three dozen requests for information from Iran went unanswered. Requests to the US government in June also received no response.
The experts called for both the United States and Iran to immediately halt all rights violations and crimes. They urged the governments to provide full reparations to victims. The team is expected to present its findings to the 47-member UN Human Rights Council on Monday.
