UN Mission Finds 'Reasonable Grounds' US Committed War Crimes in Iran Strikes

A UN-backed mission on Iran said Sept. 17, 2026, it found "reasonable grounds to believe" the U.S. committed war crimes in two Feb. 28, 2026, airstrikes killing at least 178 civilians: one on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab, another dispersing tungsten pellets over a sports complex in Lamerd, the AP reported. Iranian state media said 168 people, mostly children, died at Minab; the team said 22 civilians died at Lamerd. The mission, created by the U.N. Human Rights Council, is chaired by jurist Sara Hossain.

The findings add an official body's assessment to earlier journalism on the strikes' toll. The administration has not accepted responsibility or released a Pentagon investigation into the school bombing; the report also found Iran's government committed crimes against humanity crushing protesters.

The State Department told the AP it does not consider the report credible, and Central Command denies responsibility for Lamerd. The White House, State Department and Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment.