UN panel says US strikes on Iranian school and sports hall likely constitute war crimes

In a new report to the UN Human Rights Council, the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran said it has reasonable grounds to believe US forces were behind two February strikes in Iran that amount to war crimes. The first attack hit the Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab, killing more than 150 people, including around 120 children, while the second hit a sports centre in Lamerd, injuring civilians and damaging nearby residential buildings. investigators said the US relied on unverified intelligence about a senior Iranian commander and failed to confirm the targets were military objectives, constituting reckless conduct.

The mission also documented widespread crimes against humanity by Iranian authorities during the crackdown on anti-government protests that started in late December, citing unlawful killings, torture, enforced disappearances and severe restrictions on free expression. While the Iranian and US missions in Geneva did not comment, the report suggests the actual death and injury figures are likely far higher than the official count of 3,038 killed and 25,000 injured. The findings raise serious questions about compliance with international humanitarian law by both parties.