UN experts say grounds to believe US committed war crimes in Iran strikes

What Happened

The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran reported that there are reasonable grounds to believe the United States committed war crimes in two strikes in Iran on 28 February. In Minab, Tomahawk missiles struck Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School, killing at least 156 people including 120 children, according to local authorities. The experts concluded the school was the intended point of impact, struck twice, clearly identifiable, and with no information indicating military use, despite being adjacent to an IRGC naval complex also attacked that day. In Lamerd, Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) dispersed tungsten pellets over a sports complex and residential area, killing at least 21 civilians including 7 children. The experts cited the US as the only conflict party possessing Tomahawk and PrSM missiles and media reports of a preliminary US military inquiry finding US forces responsible for Minab. The US has not commented immediately; it previously denied striking Lamerd, disputed the PrSM identification, and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US would never target civilian targets. The same report found Iranian authorities committed crimes against humanity during the crackdown on mass protests in December 2025 and January 2026. Security forces across all 31 provinces carried out killings on a staggering scale, firing from rooftops into crowds, using metal shotgun pellets that caused permanent blindness, attacking healthcare facilities, beating and arresting wounded demonstrators and healthcare workers, and subjecting detainees to torture, solitary confinement and denial of counsel. At least 29 men have been executed following expedited trials connected to the unrest. The official death toll is 3,000, but the experts said there are strong grounds to believe it is significantly higher; HRANA says it has confirmed the killing of more than 7,000 people, almost all protesters.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The report places both the United States and Iranian authorities under international legal scrutiny, documenting specific munitions, strike patterns and repressive tactics. Its dual findings could influence UN Human Rights Council debates, international accountability efforts, sanctions discussions, and the legitimacy of both US military operations and Iran's domestic security actions during the ongoing conflict.

Watch For

US military release of its investigation findings into the Minab strike; official US response to the Lamerd/PrSM claims; UN Human Rights Council discussion or action on the report; further Iranian executions of protesters and HRANA casualty updates; and any international legal or diplomatic responses to the findings.