A United Nations fact-finding mission has asserted that there are "reasonable grounds" to believe the United States committed war crimes during its conflict with Iran, echoing claims previously made by Tehran. The independent international mission's report, released on Thursday, specifically highlights instances of "indiscriminate attacks resulting in the loss of life or injury to civilians or damage to civilian objects" by Washington's forces.
Among the serious allegations, the UN mission pointed to a devastating Tomahawk missile strike on a primary school in the city of Minab, which reportedly killed over 150 people. The report clarifies that the school was the intended target, not merely collateral damage from an attack on an adjacent Revolutionary Guard compound. Experts found no evidence suggesting the school was utilized for military purposes at the time. Additionally, another airstrike targeting a "clearly identifiable sports complex and residential area" resulted in the deaths of 22 civilians.
The U.S. State Department has firmly rejected the report's conclusions, with an official stating that Washington does not grant credibility to its findings. The official further criticized the UN council, accusing it of promoting "anti-American rhetoric and antisemitism" and "appeasing repressive regimes." The White House has also pushed back, through spokesperson Anna Kelly, who asserted, "The only party in this conflict that has committed war crimes is the Iranian regime." CNBC has sought comments from the Pentagon regarding these allegations.
Coinciding with these findings, the UN fact-finding mission also levied serious charges against Iran itself, citing extensive human rights violations and "crimes against humanity committed." This backdrop is not new for the U.S., which notably withdrew from the UN Human Rights Council in February 2025 under an executive order from then-President Donald Trump, citing concerns that some UN bodies were acting contrary to American interests.
In a separate development that offers a glimmer of diplomatic hope, an MS NOW report indicates that government officials are discussing a potential meeting between Gulf Arab nations, the U.S., and Iran. These talks could materialize around the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meeting next week. The U.S. has already approved travel for the Iranian delegation to attend the General Assembly, albeit under strict travel restrictions that prohibit the purchase of luxury or other specified goods. Tehran's delegation is expected to include President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
This photograph taken from the southern Lebanese village of Al-Haniyya shows smoke rising from the site of an Israeli controlled explosion in the southern Lebanese of Al-Mansouri on September 7, 2026.
Kawnat Haju | Afp | Getty Images
