A United Nations fact-finding mission has concluded that the United States likely committed war crimes during a series of air strikes in Iran that resulted in the deaths of at least 178 civilians, including women and children. The findings were released Thursday by the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran.
The report simultaneously accused the Iranian government of human rights violations and crimes against humanity in response to nationwide protests that erupted in late December 2025 and continued into early 2026.
Central to the mission’s allegations against the US is the February 28 attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab, which occurred during the initial phase of the conflict launched by the US and Israel. The strike, carried out using Tomahawk missiles, killed more than 150 individuals, approximately 120 of whom were children.
The mission stated that the US failed to verify the site as a military objective despite its clearly civilian nature. According to the report, pre-strike imagery and videos showed child-oriented murals, school signage, playgrounds, and groups of children in the courtyard.
The report also addressed a simultaneous strike on a sports complex and residential area in Lamerd. Precision-guided missiles dispersed tungsten pellets, killing 22 civilians. The UN found the sports center to be visibly separate from an adjacent Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) compound. US Central Command had previously denied launching any strikes into Lamerd on that date.
Regarding the school bombing, former US President Donald Trump stated in June that no party intentionally targeted the school, though the Pentagon has not yet released the results of its internal investigation.
The mission recommended that the findings be submitted to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. It also criticized Iran’s crackdown on dissent, citing internet blackouts, unlawful killings, torture, arbitrary detentions, and enforced disappearances. While Tehran reports 3,038 deaths and 25,000 injuries, the UN indicated the actual toll is likely higher but could not confirm exact figures.
In its final recommendations, the fact-finding mission urged both nations to cease hostilities immediately, provide reparations to victims, and pursue a permanent peace through diplomatic channels.
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