The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran on Sept. 14 called on all parties to immediately cease hostilities and comply with international humanitarian law following reported US air-strikes that killed and injured civilians in southern Iran.

The Mission said that the recent strikes in Hormozgan province raise serious questions about whether the United States took all necessary precautions to protect civilians during military operations. The Mission has not determined that either strike constituted a war crime, but said the reported civilian deaths require further investigation.

On Sept. 1, a reported US air-strike hit a home in Kuhestak during a wedding celebration. Iranian media reported that five people died, including two children and one woman, and that dozens of others suffered injuries.

On July 30, another reported US strike destroyed a residential home on Qeshm Island, killing a man, a woman and their two-year-old son, and injuring their two other children.

Both attacks occurred in areas with historically marginalized minority populations. The Mission identified Kuhestak as predominantly Baloch, and Qeshm as predominantly Sunni. The Mission has previously documented structural discrimination and marginalization affecting both of these communities.

Mission expert Max du Plessis said: "Repeated airstrikes causing civilian casualties raise serious questions about whether all necessary measures are being taken to comply with States’ obligations under international law, including to take all precautionary measures to avoid civilian deaths." The Mission also warned that violations of these obligations may constitute war crimes. The experts called for investigations into these attacks.

The Human Rights Council established the Mission in November 2022 after widespread protests began in Iran. Its original mandate focused on investigating human rights violations connected to the protests, particularly violations affecting women and children. The Council later extended the mandate and instructed the Mission to document, verify, consolidate and preserve evidence of violations for potential future legal proceedings.

The Council extended the Mission's mandate again in January 2026 for two years. It now has an expanded mandate allowing the Mission to examine developments aside from the original 2022 protests, including allegations arising during the current conflict.

From JURIST, Sept. 17. Used with permission. Internal links added.

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