A recent investigation by a United Nations fact-finding mission suggests that the United States may have been involved in two military strikes on a school and sports facility in Iran, which are believed to be war crimes. The mission also revealed that Iranian authorities committed crimes against humanity during a crackdown on anti-government protests before airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel.
The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, in a report to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, examined the actions of the U.S. during the Iran conflict and the Iranian government’s response to nationwide unrest. The report highlighted the American military’s conduct and the Iranian government’s handling of the protests.
While the Iranian and U.S. missions in Geneva have not responded to requests for comments, U.S. officials have previously stated that military operations adhere to international laws, whereas Iran denies systematic rights violations.
The White House strongly objected to the report, with spokeswoman Anna Kelly criticizing the UN Human Rights Council’s track record. The White House emphasized that the Iranian regime has been responsible for war crimes, citing various aggressive actions by Iran.
The fact-finding mission, led by jurist Sara Hossain of Bangladesh, consists of independent experts and was established in 2022 by the Human Rights Council. Scheduled to present their findings to the 47-member UN council, the experts addressed the incidents involving the U.S. military in Iran.
The mission concluded that a U.S. attack on a school in Minab resulted in civilian casualties, including numerous schoolchildren, constituting a war crime. The report also highlighted an attack on a sports center in Lamerd, which caused civilian casualties and was deemed a war crime as well.
Regarding the Iranian authorities, the mission found evidence of widespread attacks on civilians during protests, including unlawful killings and severe violations of human rights. Tehran attributed the unrest to external influences, including the U.S. and Israel.
The investigation could not verify the exact death toll but suggested that the actual number of casualties might be significantly higher than official reports. The government’s response to the protests, including violent crackdowns and internet restrictions, was considered a drastic escalation in suppressing dissent.
The UN report is set to shed more light on these concerning findings and shed further insights into the events surrounding the protests and military actions in Iran.
