{
  "id": 8051353,
  "title": "UN experts find ‘reasonable grounds’ to believe US strikes killed 177 civilians",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/un-experts-find-reasonable-grounds-to-believe-us-strikes-killed-177",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T15:55:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/un-experts-find-reasonable-grounds-to-believe-us-strikes-killed-177-civilians/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Three UN human rights experts have determined there is reasonable cause to believe the United States committed war crimes in two strikes in Iran, resulting in the deaths of at least 177 civilians. The strikes targeted a primary school in Minab and a sports complex in Lamerd during the US-led war against Iran on February 28, 2025. The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, comprised of three independent experts, conducted investigations into these attacks.\n\nIn Minab, a Tomahawk missile strike on February 28 destroyed Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School, killing at least 156 people, including 120 children. The experts found that the school was clearly identifiable and was not being used for military purposes. They concluded that the strike was intentional, citing a preliminary US military inquiry and the fact that the US is the only party to the conflict possessing Tomahawk missiles. The US military has not yet released its findings on the Minab strike but previously denied striking the site.\n\nSimilarly, in Lamerd, Precision Strike Missiles dispersed tungsten pellets over a sports complex and residential area on the same day, killing at least 21 civilians, including seven children. The experts found that the sports complex was clearly identifiable and was not being used for military purposes. They concluded that the strike was likely carried out by the US, based on evidence such as the US being the only party to the conflict possessing PrSM missiles. However, the US military has denied striking Lamerd and disputed reports indicating the weapon used was a PrSM.\n\nThe experts also found Iranian authorities committed crimes against humanity during a violent crackdown on mass anti-government protests in January and January 2026. They described an unprecedented escalation of force, with security personnel firing assault rifles into crowds from elevated positions, causing widespread injuries and deaths. The crackdown resulted in the detention of tens of thousands of people, many of whom faced torture, solitary confinement, and denial of legal counsel. The experts warned that the death toll was likely significantly higher than the official figure of 3,000, which the government identified as mostly members of the security forces or bystanders.\n\nThe UN experts warned that the Iranian government's actions amounted to crimes against humanity, including murder, imprisonment, torture, and other severe deprivation of physical liberty. Iranian authorities accused the US and Israel of instigating the unrest and blamed deaths on \"terrorists\" and \"rioters.\"",
  "summary": "UN human rights experts say there are reasonable grounds to believe the US committed war crimes in two strikes in Iran that killed at least 177 civilians.",
  "key_points": [
    "UN experts find reasonable grounds to believe US committed war crimes in Iran.",
    "177 civilians killed in strikes targeting primary school and sports complex.",
    "Iranian authorities committed crimes against humanity during anti-government protests."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}