UN fact-finding mission on Iran focuses on plight of civilians — SkimNews
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- The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran confirmed Iran's government committed crimes against humanity, with killings by security forces occurring "on a massive scale in all provinces" during a violent crackdown on mass protests that stretched from last year into this year.
- Iranian security forces killed at least 221 children — some as young as two years old — and attacked health care facilities, beating and arresting wounded protesters and some health workers, discouraging victims from seeking life-saving care.
- Iran's government arbitrarily detained tens of thousands, subjecting them to torture, solitary confinement, and denial of legal advice, while families were left without information about loved ones' whereabouts amid concerns of enforced disappearances.
- Iranian authorities executed at least 29 men following summary trials — five publicly — while more than 70 people, including five women and three boys, still face imminent risk of execution.
- The UN mission found "reasonable grounds to believe that the United States committed a war crime" through indiscriminate attacks following the February strikes by the US and Israel, including Tomahawk missile strikes on Tree of Tayyiba Elementary School in Minab that killed more than 150 people, including about 120 children.
- US strikes also hit a clearly identifiable sports complex and residential area in Lamard with precision missiles that launched clouds of tungsten pellets, killing 22 civilians.
- The independent experts — who are not UN staff and do not represent any organization — urged both Iran and the United States to immediately cease "all violations and crimes," provide full compensation to victims, and ensure such acts are not repeated.
Why it matters: The dual finding — crimes against humanity by Iran's government and "reasonable grounds" for US war crimes — creates simultaneous diplomatic pressure on Tehran and Washington. With documented civilian tolls including 150+ killed at a single school, the report strengthens international calls for accountability on both the domestic protest crackdown and the February US-Israeli military campaign.
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