UN mission finds grounds to believe US committed war crimes in Iran, and Tehran crimes against humanity

Geneva: The UN's Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran has concluded it has reasonable grounds to believe the United States was responsible for two military strikes on a school and sports facility in Iran in February, which it finds constitute war crimes. The report, to be submitted to the UN Human Rights Council, also alleges that Iranian authorities committed crimes against humanity during their crackdown on anti-government protests.

The findings scrutinize both the US actions during the Iran war that started in February and the Iranian government's response to nationwide unrest that began in late December. The US and Iranian missions in Geneva have yet to respond to Reuters inquiries. US officials have maintained that military operations adhere to the law of armed conflict, while Iran has persistently denied allegations of systematic rights violations.

UN experts found proof that the Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab, where over 150 people, including around 120 schoolchildren, were killed, was a deliberate target. They concluded that the US, relying on intelligence suggesting a senior Iranian military commander was at the site, launched the strike without proper verification.

The US's failure to update targeting intelligence and confirm the building was a military objective, while being aware of a high risk of striking a civilian object, amounts to reckless behavior. The strike on a sports center in Lamerd also resulted in civilian casualties, causing damage to residential buildings and a school. Iranian authorities are accused of carrying out widespread and systematic attacks against civilians during the December protests, including unlawful killings, torture, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and severe restrictions on free speech.

The government's response to the protests involved increased violence, internet shutdowns, and the use of the death penalty, marking a significant escalation from previous suppression methods.