GENEVA: A United Nations fact-finding mission said on Thursday it had reasonable grounds to believe US forces carried out two strikes on civilian facilities in Iran in February that constituted war crimes.
In a report prepared for the UN Human Rights Council, investigators also concluded that Iranian authorities committed crimes against humanity during their crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests.
The US and Iranian missions in Geneva did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Washington has previously said its operations comply with the law of armed conflict, while Tehran rejects allegations of systematic rights abuses.
UN Investigators Examine School and Sports Centre Strikes
Investigators attributed a strike on Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab to US forces. Iranian officials said more than 150 people died, including around 120 schoolchildren.
The mission found no evidence that the school served a military purpose and concluded the attack was indiscriminate.
Moreover, investigators said US forces relied on intelligence suggesting a senior Iranian commander was present but inadequately verified the information.
The mission reached a similar conclusion regarding a strike on a sports centre in Lamerd that reportedly killed and injured 22 civilians. However, US Central Command previously denied striking Lamerd that day.
Mission Accuses Iran of Crimes Against Humanity
Separately, investigators said Iranian authorities conducted a widespread and systematic attack against civilians during protests beginning in late December.
The report documented alleged unlawful killings, torture, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and severe restrictions on expression.
Iranian authorities have blamed violence on “terrorists and rioters” supported by foreign adversaries.
Furthermore, the mission could not independently verify casualty totals but said deaths and injuries were likely substantially higher than official figures of 3,038 killed and 25,000 injured.
