A UN fact-finding mission has found reasonable grounds that US forces committed war crimes in Iran, citing a February strike on a Minab primary school that killed 150 people, including 120 children. The report also accuses Iranian authorities of crimes against humanity during a protest crackdown. While President Trump claims the war is nearing its end and that Tehran wants a deal, Iranian officials express zero trust. Meanwhile, the CBO reports the war has cost the US $38 billion through July.
US strikes on civilian sites
- ▪A United States military strike in February 2026 targeted a primary school in Minab, Iran, reportedly killing more than 150 people, including approximately 120 children.
- ▪A United States military strike in February 2026 targeted a sports center in Lamerd, Iran, killing or injuring 22 civilians in an action the United Nations described as indiscriminate.
- ▪The United Nations fact-finding mission stated that United States forces had intelligence that a senior Iranian commander was at the Minab school but failed to adequately verify the information.
UN war crimes findings
- ▪A United Nations fact-finding mission on Iran found reasonable grounds to believe that United States forces carried out two military strikes in February 2026 that amounted to war crimes.
- ▪The United Nations fact-finding mission's report on United States military actions in Iran will be submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Iranian protest crackdown crimes
- ▪The United Nations fact-finding mission found that Iranian authorities committed crimes against humanity, including unlawful killings, torture, and arbitrary detention, during a crackdown on protests starting in late December 2025.
- ▪The United Nations probe stated that official Iranian figures reported 3,038 people killed and 25,000 injured during the protest crackdown, though the mission believes the actual toll is likely far higher.
Trump ceasefire negotiations
- ▪Iranian National Security Chief Mohsen Rezaei stated that Tehran has "no trust whatsoever" in the United States, contradicting President Donald Trump's claims that Iran wants to make a deal.
- ▪United States President Donald Trump stated on September 16, 2026, that the United States is "hopefully" toward the end of its nearly seven-month war with Iran and has spoken with Tehran directly.
Iran war financial costs
- ▪Moody's Analytics estimated in June 2026 that the war with Iran has cost United States consumers approximately $750 per household, totaling $100 billion due to increased military spending and oil supply disruptions.
- ▪The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the ongoing conflict in Iran will cost the United States between $2 billion and $3 billion per month going forward.
- ▪The Congressional Budget Office reported that the war with Iran cost the United States Department of Defense approximately $38 billion from late February to August 1, 2026.
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
- ▪Saudi Arabia shut down its strategic East-West Pipeline following damage caused by a Houthi drone attack on September 11, 2026, disrupting the transport of crude oil to the Red Sea.
- ▪Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen have ramped up attacks on Saudi Arabia and launched a ground offensive to control the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital oil choke point.
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