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A United Nations-backed fact-finding mission has released a report alleging that the United States may have committed war crimes during two airstrikes in Iran. The report, published Thursday, also accuses the Iranian government of committing crimes against humanity against its own citizens.
The fact-finding mission, established in 2022 by the U.N. Human Rights Council and chaired by Bangladeshi jurist Sara Hossain, stated there are reasonable grounds to believe the U.S. launched indiscriminate attacks that resulted in civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. The experts are scheduled to present their findings to the 47-member council on Monday.
The allegations regarding U.S. conduct focus on two strikes that occurred on February 28. The report states that one strike hit the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in the city of Minab, while another involved the use of Precision Strike Missiles on a sports complex and residential area in Lamerd. The mission reported that at least 178 civilians, including women and children, were killed in these incidents. Regarding the school strike, the experts concluded that the building was the intended target, rejecting the possibility that the damage was the result of an errant strike or collateral damage from an attack on a nearby Revolutionary Guard compound.
The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. U.S. Central Command has previously denied responsibility for the strike in Lamerd, and the Trump administration has not released the findings of a Pentagon investigation into the school bombing.
Separately, the report accuses the Iranian government of widespread and systematic attacks on its own population, characterizing these actions as crimes against humanity. The experts documented violent repression by security forces, including the use of assault rifles against crowds, the detention and torture of protesters, and the denial of legal counsel. The mission further noted that more than 70 individuals, including five women and three boys, remain at imminent risk of execution by the Iranian state.
The report was compiled using interviews with 73 people, satellite imagery, photographic and video evidence, and information from various organizations. The mission noted that its investigation was partially hindered by a lack of cooperation from both the U.S. and Iranian governments, stating that dozens of requests for information and meetings went unanswered.
While the report is not legally binding, the experts recommended that both the United States and Iran cease all rights violations and provide full reparations to victims. The findings are intended to contribute to international evidence that could be utilized in future legal proceedings.
Article and image source: koreatimes.co.kr
