Archive · 18 Sep 2026
UN probe flags possible US war crimes in Iran
A UN team investigated two US military strikes in Iran.
It said there were reasonable grounds to believe the strikes broke the laws of war.
One strike hit a primary school in Minab and killed more than 150 people, including many children.
The UN said the school was a civilian building and found no proof that soldiers were using it.
Another strike near a sports centre in Lamerd reportedly killed or injured 22 civilians.
The United States has said its forces did not strike Lamerd that day.
The Pentagon said its investigation is still ongoing, while the White House disputed the UN's criticism.
The UN also said Iran's government committed serious abuses while putting down protests.
UN missions investigate events but do not act as courts or bring criminal cases themselves.
A UN fact-finding mission found reasonable grounds to believe US forces were responsible for two February strikes in Iran that amounted to war crimes.
A February 28, 2026 missile strike on Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab killed more than 150 people, including about 120 children, according to Iranian officials.
The mission said the Minab school was clearly civilian, found no evidence of military use, and concluded the attack was indiscriminate.
The mission said a strike on a Lamerd sports centre killed or injured 22 civilians and damaged nearby homes and a school, while US Central Command denied striking Lamerd that day.
The UN also accused Iranian authorities of crimes against humanity during a crackdown involving killings, torture, detention, disappearances, internet shutdowns and restrictions on expression.
- Who
- A UN fact-finding mission examined alleged US military strikes and Iran's response to anti-government protests.
- What
- The mission reported possible US war crimes and crimes against humanity by Iranian authorities.
- When
- The strikes occurred in February, including the Minab strike on February 28, 2026; the findings were reported on September 17.
- Where
- The alleged strikes occurred in Minab and Lamerd, Iran, and the report will be submitted in Geneva.
- Why
- The mission investigated civilian deaths and damage from the strikes, as well as Iran's crackdown on protests.
UN Findings
Official Positions and Uncertainty
Responsibility for the Minab strike
UN Findings
The UN mission said there were reasonable grounds to believe US forces directed an indiscriminate strike at the school while aware of a substantial risk to a civilian object.
Official Positions and Uncertainty
The Pentagon has not published its investigation's findings; President Donald Trump previously said nobody intentionally attacked a girls' school.
Lamerd strike
UN Findings
The UN mission said the strike on the sports centre was indiscriminate, killed or injured 22 civilians and amounted to a war crime.
Official Positions and Uncertainty
US Central Command previously said US forces did not launch strikes into Lamerd on that day.
Iran's protest crackdown
UN Findings
The UN mission described the response as a widespread and systematic attack involving unlawful killings, torture, arbitrary detention, disappearances and restrictions on expression.
Official Positions and Uncertainty
Iran has rejected allegations of systematic rights violations and blamed terrorists and rioters backed by exiled opponents and foreign adversaries.
Civilian casualty totals
UN Findings
The UN mission said the number of people killed and injured during the protests was likely significantly higher than official figures.
Official Positions and Uncertainty
The mission said it could not independently verify the death toll, while Iranian official figures reported 3,038 deaths and 25,000 injuries.
- Minab casualties
- More than 150 people were reportedly killed, including around 120 children.
- Minab finding
- The UN said the school was a clearly identifiable civilian site and found no evidence it was being used for military purposes.
- Lamerd casualties
- The mission said 22 civilians were killed or injured and nearby homes and a school were damaged.
- US position
- US Central Command said American forces did not conduct strikes in Lamerd on that day; the Pentagon said its broader investigation remained ongoing.
- Iran protest figures
- Official figures cited 3,038 deaths and 25,000 injuries, while the mission said the actual totals were likely significantly higher.
- UN mission status
- The fact-finding mission is investigative rather than judicial, and its findings do not themselves initiate criminal cases.
- Report destination
- The findings will be submitted to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
