UN mission cites possible US war crimes in Iran strikes and Iran abuses

A U.N. fact-finding mission said Thursday it had reasonable grounds to believe U.S. forces committed war crimes in February strikes on Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab and a sports center in Lamerd. The school was hit on Feb. 28. Investigators said the U.S. relied on intelligence that a senior Iranian commander was present but failed to sufficiently verify it, and found no evidence the school was used for military purposes. The mission said the Lamerd strike killed and wounded 22 civilians. It also found Iranian authorities committed crimes against humanity during a crackdown on protests that began Dec. 28, 2025. What is contested: Iranian officials say more than 150 died at the school, including about 120 children; one report cites 168 schoolgirls and a U.N. total of 157; AP said the two strikes killed at least 178 civilians. The mission quoted that the U.S. struck "while being aware of a substantial risk of striking a civilian object and acting recklessly." U.S. Central Command said in March it carried out no Lamerd strikes that day. Trump said in June "nobody" intentionally attacked a girls’ school. U.S. officials said operations complied with the law of armed conflict. Iran rejected systematic abuse claims and blamed unrest on terrorists and foreign powers including the U.S. and Israel. What is unresolved: The Pentagon elevated its inquiry but has not released preliminary findings. Mission inquiries to the U.S. military went unanswered.