GENEVA - The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran called on parties to the ongoing regional conflict to cease hostilities, end rhetoric that incites or justifies violence, and fully comply with international law following weeks of devastating violence that has destroyed thousands of civilian lives.
The mounting loss of civilian life and the scale of reported damage to civilian infrastructure and essential medical, scientific and educational institutions in Iran caused by US and Israeli airstrikes have caused irreparable harm and long-term consequences for Iranian civilians. If confirmed, some of these attacks may amount to the war crimes of intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects or intentionally launching a disproportionate attack as defined under international humanitarian law.
The Mission deplores rhetoric by senior US Government officials that dismisses binding international law obligations - including statements on bombing Iran "back to the stone age," attacking "all" bridges and power plants and annihilating Iran's "whole civilization." These, alongside prior statements describing the rules governing military engagement as "stupid" and trumpeting "lethality" over "legality," may be indicative of violations and crimes under international law.
International humanitarian law in particular prohibits threats of violence whose primary purpose is to spread terror among the civilian population. US commanders and their forces should lead by example by fully respecting international humanitarian law and strictly applying the authoritative legal guidance of the US Department of Defense Law of War Manual.
The toll of the US and Israeli strikes in Iran continues to increase, with more than 3,000 reported fatalities. At least 216 children, 251 women and three Iranian Red Crescent Society emergency personnel have reportedly been killed and 1,881 children and 4,610 women injured.
Healthcare and educational infrastructure in Iran has sustained extensive damage. At least 315 medical and emergency facilities, 760 schools and educational facilities and 29 universities were reportedly damaged and affected. Among these, the Pasteur Institute in Tehran - one of the country's oldest research and health institutions - was struck on 2 April. The Tofigh Daru pharmaceutical facility, which produces medicines for cancer and multiple sclerosis patients, was also damaged in an earlier strike on 31 March.
Furthermore, the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that strikes have affected nuclear facilities in Khondab (Markazi), Yazd and Bushehr, the latter having reportedly been struck for the fourth time. Strikes affecting nuclear facilities raise additional concerns such as the risk of radiation exposure and of severe, long-term environmental harm.
The Fact-Finding Mission recalls that international humanitarian law strictly prohibits directing attacks against civilian objects, and intentionally doing so constitutes a war crime.
Particular care must be taken in relation to works and installations containing dangerous forces, such as nuclear electrical generating stations. It is also prohibited to launching attacks against military objectives when it is known that such attacks will cause incidental civilian harm that would be excessive in relation to the anticipated military advantage.
Amidst the ongoing hostilities, the Mission continues to be particularly concerned about the conditions of detainees in Iran, including persons arrested in relation to the recent protests and those reportedly detained during a new wave of arrests since the start of the US and Israeli attacks on 28 February, including Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and members of the Baha'i community.
The Mission is deeply alarmed by the ongoing near-total Internet shutdown in Iran, the continuing repression of civil society actors and executions on security-related charges, noting 14 men have been executed in just over three weeks, since 18 March.
Although the temporary cease-fire reached on 7 April is a welcome and vital step, it is imperative that the end of hostilities in the region becomes permanent. The Mission urgently calls for a human rights-based and inclusive peace process involving all parties, impartial, effective and transparent investigations by the parties into allegations of international law violations and the prompt publication of the results of such investigations, including of the US Department of Defense's investigation into the attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school in Minab, Hormozgan province, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of 168 students and teachers.
