UN experts say US strikes in Iran may constitute war crimes amid regional tensions
UN-backed human-rights investigators say there are reasonable grounds to view two early-war US airstrikes in Iran as war crimes, while the Palestinian Authority protests denied visas and Saudi allies urge calm in Yemen.
Human-rights specialists commissioned by the United Nations’ top body have found reasonable grounds to allege that two US airstrikes at the outset of the Iran war may constitute war crimes, citing civilian deaths of at least 178 people, including women and children. Evidence points to a missile striking the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab and another dispersing tungsten pellets over a clearly identifiable sports complex and nearby residential district in Lamerd.
The Trump administration has not yet acknowledged responsibility or released a Pentagon investigation report. In a separate development, the Palestinian Authority denounced the US decision to deny visas to President Mahmoud Abbas and other officials for the upcoming UN General Assembly, accusing Israel of undermining the two-state solution. Additionally, Pakistan and Turkey, which have just signed a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, condemned recent Houthi attacks in Yemen and urged an end to the escalation, describing the pact as a collective deterrence measure.
Why it matters
Allegations of war crimes and diplomatic disputes could reshape US relations and regional stability in the Middle East.
How this story developed
- Sep 1 IAEA urges immediate access to Iran’s nuclear facilities amid verification concerns
- Sep 9 Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired ballistic missiles at US Navy vessels twice in two days, while US forces evaded and kept patrolling, prompting worries that China or Russia may have supplied targeting data.
- Sep 9 The IAEA board voted to refer Iran to the UN Security Council.
- Sep 9 Donald Trump said the war with Iran will end immediately after the November midterm elections, arguing Tehran cannot sustain its campaign.
- Sep 10 UN Security Council scheduled a vote on extending the expert panel that assists the sanctions committee on Iran.
- Sep 10 Projectiles struck Iran's Sirik coast, causing multiple blasts in Minab County and on Qeshm Island.
- Sep 10 Trump said the war will cease immediately after the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.
- Sep 11 Trump said he would repeat his decision to go to war with Iran.
- Sep 13 Iran’s use of Chinese high‑resolution satellite photos for the July Jordan base strike was disclosed.
- Sep 14 Trump said the United States and China spy on each other and downplayed the claim that Chinese firms gave Iran the images.
- Sep 15 A DoD inspector general report says the first four months of Operation Epic Fury have cost $33.4 billion, with $22.3 billion spent on munitions and critical missile shortfalls emerging.
- Sep 16 The House of Representatives voted 220-204 to adopt a resolution that orders President Trump to end the ongoing war in Iran, marking a rare bipartisan effort. Seven Republicans—Thomas Massie (KY), Tom Barrett (MI), Warren Davidson (OH), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Nancy Mace (SC), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA) and Zach Nunn (IA)—joined Democrats in supporting the measure, three more than in prior votes. Rep. Jason Crow led the push, emphasizing that both parties are fed up with the conflict, now in its seventh month. On the same day, Rep. Massie, who lost his primary, filed impeachment articles against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, accusing him of executing unlawful war orders. Public sentiment remains strongly against the war, with an Ipsos poll indicating 71% of Americans favor withdrawal. The resolution reflects growing congressional pressure to rein in presidential war powers.
- Sep 16 Report reveals extensive infrastructure damage on U.S. bases and $184 million in embassy damage, raising total war cost estimate to over $112 billion.
- Sep 16 Seven Republicans voted for the resolution, three more than in earlier votes.
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