A recent report by an independent UN fact-finding mission has caused a storm of emotion at the White House. The document alleges that the US committed war crimes during air strikes in Iran, and in response to this accusation, the US presidential administration has taken a hard line.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly categorically rejected the report’s findings, emphasising that it is the Iranian regime that is responsible for numerous crimes. In her statement, Kelly accused Iran of killing thousands of its own citizens, attacking Americans and carrying out terrorist acts in the Strait of Hormuz.
Kelly also expressed dissatisfaction with the work of the UN Human Rights Council, stating that for many years this organisation has been unable to effectively protect human rights, but merely engages in spreading ‘nonsense’.
The US continues to maintain that all military operations are conducted in accordance with international law, whilst a thorough investigation is underway regarding the situation in Iran.
A UN report, published on 17 September, refers to the events of 28 February. It was on that date, according to the mission’s findings, that the US Air Force carried out strikes on a school in Minab and a sports facility in Lamerd. As a result of this attack, 178 civilians, including women and children, were killed. At the ‘Shajarah Tayyibah’ school in Minab, more than 150 people were killed, of whom around 120 were schoolchildren. The strike on the sports complex in Lamerd claimed a further 22 lives.
At the same time, the UN mission highlighted crimes committed by Iran as well. The report noted the authorities’ brutal actions against protesters in December and January, including unlawful killings and torture.
The situation is set to be one of the key topics of discussion at the UN Human Rights Council meeting on 21 September in Geneva. Only time will tell what lies ahead for both sides in this complex diplomatic standoff, but tensions are already running high, and the world is watching developments with bated breath.