UN Mission Finds US Likely Committed War Crimes in Iran Strikes

A United Nations factfinding mission has concluded that the United States likely committed war crimes during two strikes in Iran that killed at least 178 civilians, including over 120 children, on February 28, 2026. The report, released on September 18, 2026, by the Independent International FactFinding Mission on Iran, found reasonable grounds to believe the U.S. launched indiscriminate attacks on a primary school in Minab and a sports center in Lamerd, both civilian targets. The mission's findings, which are not legally binding but could be used in future international court proceedings, are scheduled for presentation to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on September 21, 2026. The report also accused Iranian authorities of committing crimes against humanity during a violent crackdown on antigovernment protests that began in late December 2025. The central finding concerns the strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab, which killed at least 156 people, including 120 children, according to the mission's report.