UN report accuses US of war crimes in Iran
A United Nations investigation has concluded that the United States probably committed war crimes in Iran by striking a primary school and a sports complex on February 28, killing hundreds of civilians. The report also documents crimes against humanity by Iranian authorities during nationwide prote…
By Felo News Desk · Published
A United Nations independent fact‑finding mission released a report on Thursday that alleges the United States committed war crimes in Iran during the opening day of the war on February 28, 2026. The mission also documented crimes against humanity carried out by Iranian authorities during a wave of protests that began in late December 2025 and continued into early 2026.
US air strikes and alleged war crimes
The report focuses on two US air strikes that took place on February 28. The first strike hit Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab, a coastal town in southern Iran. The United Nations investigators say the school was a clearly identifiable civilian target, with visible murals, signage and playground equipment. According to the mission, the strike killed at least 178 civilians, including children, and destroyed the building with Tomahawk missiles. The second strike targeted a sports complex and residential area in Lamerd, also in southern Iran. The mission states that the complex was visibly separate from an adjacent Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps compound and that the attack killed 22 civilians. Both strikes are described as “indiscriminate” and “likely war crimes” under international law.
The United Nations report will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. It calls for immediate cessation of hostilities, reparations for victims, and a diplomatic solution to the conflict. The report also urges the United States to provide full reparations to those affected by the strikes.
Iran’s crackdown on protests
In addition to the US attacks, the mission documents a range of human rights abuses by Iranian authorities during the nationwide protests that began in December 2025. The report cites an internet shutdown, unlawful killings, torture, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and severe restrictions on freedom of expression. It estimates that the number of deaths and injuries caused by state forces is higher than the Iranian government’s official figures, which list 3,038 deaths and 25,000 injuries. The mission notes that the Iranian government attributes most of the casualties to “rioters” supported by exiled opponents and the United States.
White House response
White House principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly issued a scathing rebuttal to the UN report. She dismissed the findings as “unserious nonsense” and claimed that only the Iranian regime had committed war crimes. Kelly accused Iran of murdering thousands of its own people, launching attacks on the Strait of Hormuz and carrying out acts of terrorism against its neighbors. She defended President Donald Trump’s decision to launch the war, framing it as a necessary step to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and to protect global security.
Trump’s administration has not released any official findings on the Minab or Lamerd strikes. The US Central Command, which issued a statement in March, denied that any US forces struck Lamerd on that day. The Pentagon has also not yet published an investigation into the Minab attack.
Implications and next steps
The UN report raises serious questions about the conduct of the United States in the Iran war. If the allegations are proven, the US could face international legal scrutiny and be required to provide reparations to victims. The report also highlights the broader human rights crisis in Iran, with the government’s crackdown on protests potentially violating international law.
Both sides have called for a ceasefire and a diplomatic resolution. The United Nations Human Rights Council will receive the report on Monday, and the UN General Assembly will convene in New York in July. The outcome of these meetings could shape the future of the conflict and the accountability of both parties.
Unresolved questions
Key questions remain: Will the US conduct an independent investigation into the Minab and Lamerd strikes? How will the international community respond to the allegations of war crimes? What will be the fate of the victims and their families? The answers to these questions will determine whether the UN report leads to concrete action or remains a symbolic statement.
As the war continues, the UN report serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the conflict and the urgent need for accountability and peace.
Key facts
- UN mission says US likely committed war crimes in Iran on Feb. 28 air strikes
- Minab school strike killed at least 178 civilians, including children
- Lamerd strike killed 22 civilians in a sports complex
- Iran’s crackdown on protests involved internet shutdowns, killings, torture
- White House dismisses UN findings and blames Iran
- UN report to be presented to Human Rights Council in Geneva
- Both sides call for ceasefire and diplomatic resolution
Why it matters
The allegations of war crimes by the United States could trigger international legal action and force the US to compensate victims, while the documented abuses by Iran highlight a broader human rights crisis that demands global attention.
Frequently asked questions
What did the UN mission find about the Minab school strike?
The mission concluded that the school was a clearly identifiable civilian target and that the US strike likely constituted a war crime, killing at least 178 civilians, including children.
How has the White House responded to the UN report?
White House principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly dismissed the report as “unserious nonsense,” accused Iran of war crimes, and defended President Trump’s decision to start the war.
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com
- [2] nypost.com
