The latest Ireland breaking news agenda may be focused on domestic developments, but major international investigations are also shaping the global news cycle. UN human rights experts say there are reasonable grounds to believe that two US strikes in Iran killed at least 177 civilians and may have amounted to war crimes.
The findings concern a primary school in Minab and a sports complex in Lamerd, both of which were hit on 28 February during the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The report also accuses Iranian authorities of crimes against humanity during a violent crackdown on nationwide protests.
Iran war crimes report focuses on two deadly strikes
The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran investigated two of the conflict’s deadliest attacks on civilians for its latest report to the UN Human Rights Council.
In Minab, a strike hit Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School, killing at least 156 people, including 120 children, according to local authorities. The school was next to an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval facility that was also attacked, but investigators said it was clearly identifiable as a school and found no evidence that it was being used for military purposes.
Experts said evidence gathered during the investigation gave them reasonable grounds to believe the United States carried out the attack. Their assessment referred to media reports about a preliminary US military inquiry and the fact that the US is the only party in the conflict known to possess Tomahawk missiles.
They further concluded that the school was likely the intended point of impact. Survivors reportedly described the building being struck twice, which investigators said did not support the explanation that the damage resulted from an accidental or errant strike.
Lamerd sports complex attack
A second strike hit a sports complex and nearby residential area in Lamerd. Local authorities said at least 21 civilians died, including seven children. Investigators said the facility was also visibly civilian and found no information indicating that it had been used for military activity.
The report linked the attack to the use of Precision Strike Missiles, which disperse tungsten fragments over a wide area. Experts again cited the United States’ possession of that weapon system when assessing responsibility.
US officials have denied striking Lamerd and disputed reports about the weapon used. The US military has also said it does not target civilian sites, while an investigation into the Minab incident has not yet been publicly released.
Iran protest crackdown investigated as crimes against humanity
The report also examined the Iranian government’s response to mass protests in December 2025 and January 2026. UN-appointed experts described the crackdown as an unprecedented escalation, involving lethal force, mass arrests and alleged mistreatment of detainees.
Witnesses, healthcare workers and relatives of victims told investigators that security personnel fired into crowds from rooftops and other elevated positions. Protesters were also reportedly wounded by metal shotgun pellets, with some suffering permanent injuries to their eyes, head and chest.
According to the findings, security forces entered healthcare facilities, assaulted or detained wounded demonstrators and arrested medical workers. Investigators said these actions discouraged injured people from seeking urgent treatment.
The report identified allegations including:
- Large-scale killings and serious injuries during demonstrations
- Torture, solitary confinement and denial of legal representation
- Detention of tens of thousands of people
- Executions following expedited trials linked to the unrest
- Interference with medical care for wounded protesters
The experts said at least 29 men had been executed after trials connected to the protests. They also warned that the true death toll could be substantially higher than Iran’s official figure of 3,000, which included security personnel and bystanders.
Disputed death toll and official responses
The mission said it could not independently verify the total number of people killed during the crackdown. A US-based rights organisation has, however, reported confirming more than 7,000 deaths, most of them protesters.
Iranian authorities have rejected allegations of systematic human rights violations. They have accused the United States and Israel of encouraging the unrest and blamed deaths on groups they described as terrorists and rioters.
The UN experts concluded that the alleged pattern of murder, imprisonment, torture and other severe abuses could constitute crimes against humanity because it was reportedly widespread and directed against a civilian population.
Why the findings matter for global accountability
The report does not represent a final court judgment, but it increases pressure on governments and international institutions to preserve evidence and investigate alleged violations. The central issues include whether civilian locations were deliberately targeted, whether attacks were proportionate and whether authorities took adequate steps to protect non-combatants.
For readers following the latest Irish news, Dublin news today or other domestic developments, the report is also a reminder of how international conflicts can influence diplomatic policy, migration, security debates and humanitarian priorities across Europe.
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Frequently asked questions
What did UN experts say about the strikes in Iran?
They said there were reasonable grounds to believe that two US strikes caused civilian deaths and damage to civilian infrastructure and may constitute indiscriminate attacks under international humanitarian law.
How many people were reported killed in Minab?
Local authorities reported at least 156 deaths, including 120 children, after the strike on the primary school.
What allegations were made against Iranian authorities?
The fact-finding mission alleged murder, torture, imprisonment and other serious abuses during the crackdown on protests in late 2025 and early 2026.
Conclusion
The Iran war crimes report presents allegations of devastating civilian harm in two strikes and severe abuses during Iran’s protest crackdown. Its findings remain subject to further investigation, but they underline the need for transparent inquiries, protection of civilians and accountability under international law. As global tensions continue, the evidence gathered by independent investigators will be central to determining responsibility.
