UN Report: Grounds for US Responsibility in Attacks on Schools and Sports Facilities in Iran
A United Nations fact-finding mission reported that there is evidence pointing to US responsibility for the February attacks on a school and a sports facility in Iran, which resulted in numerous civilian deaths.
A report prepared by the United Nations revealed that there are reasonable grounds to believe US forces were behind the attacks in February on an elementary school in Minab and a sports facility in Lamerd, Iran, and that this situation constitutes a war crime.
Findings of the UN Fact-Finding Mission
The comprehensive report prepared by the United Nations independent international fact-finding mission was addressed for submission to the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The report detailed the military operations carried out in Iran in February and state interventions against the country's protest demonstrations.
The School Attack in Minab
More than 150 people, including numerous children, lost their lives in the attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school located in Minab, Iran.
UN experts stated that the school was a clearly recognizable civilian structure, that there was no evidence of its use for military purposes, and that the attack constituted a war crime.
Intelligence and Targeting Errors
Researchers noted that the US relied on intelligence suggesting a high-ranking Iranian commander was in the area, but failed to adequately verify this information prior to the attack.
The report emphasized that the failure to update targeting intelligence and confirm that the building was a military target went beyond mere negligence.
The Sports Facility Attack in Lamerd
The mission reached a similar conclusion regarding another attack on a sports center in Lamerd that resulted in civilian casualties.
It was stated that the attack damaged surrounding residences and a school, resulted in 22 civilians killed or injured, and bore an indiscriminate character.
Protest Demonstrations in Iran
The report also included information that Iranian authorities carried out widespread and systematic attacks against civilians during the protests that began in late December.
It was noted that the violent response to the demonstrations, coupled with arbitrary detentions, torture, and human rights violations, marked a serious escalation in methods used to suppress dissent.