A UN-backed group of independent experts has said there are reasonable grounds to believe US forces committed war crimes during the conflict with Iran, citing two airstrikes that caused civilian deaths.

The UN-backed fact-finding mission, in a report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, examined a strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab and another attack in Lamerd.

What the UN report said about the school strike

The mission said a Tomahawk cruise missile strike on the primary school in Minab in late February killed more than 150 people.

According to the report, the mission found reasonable grounds to believe the United States committed the war crime of launching indiscriminate attacks that resulted in civilian deaths or injuries or damage to civilian objects.

The Minab strike has previously been the subject of investigations into how the school was identified as a target. Earlier reports cited evidence suggesting the strike was carried out by US forces, while the Pentagon has said the incident was under investigation.

Another US strike examined by UN mission

The fact-finding mission also examined a separate US strike in Lamerd.

It said the attack dispersed clouds of tungsten pellets over a sports complex and a residential area, killing 22 people.

The report’s findings are not legally binding, but they could contribute to future efforts to establish accountability through international legal mechanisms, according to the report.

Pentagon investigation remains ongoing

The Pentagon has previously said the Minab incident was being investigated.

A Pentagon official said on Thursday that the investigation was still ongoing and declined to comment on the report from the UN-backed outside organisation.

The report also noted that investigators had previously examined possible failures surrounding the Minab strike, including problems with US intelligence systems and information about the site being used as a school.

UN panel also accuses Iran

The UN-backed mission’s report did not focus only on alleged US violations.

It also accused the Iranian government of gross human rights violations and crimes against humanity, including in connection with violent crackdowns on Iranian protesters.

The White House rejected the UN findings and accused Iran of committing war crimes, including attacks against neighbouring countries and other actions during the conflict.

India has said it will take all necessary measures to safeguard its trade and economic interests after the US Congress passed legislation aimed at imposing tougher sanctions on Russia.

The US House of Representatives passed the Russia sanctions bill on September 16. The legislation targets Russia’s economy and provides the US president with authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue certain trade involving Russian energy. India and China are among the countries that could be affected by the provisions.

India says trade and economic interests will be protected

India’s response comes as the legislation moves forward in Washington. The bill, known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, seeks to increase economic pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine.

India has maintained that its decisions concerning energy and trade are guided by its national interests. The latest statement indicates that New Delhi will continue to assess the implications of the US legislation while protecting its economic and trade interests.

What the US sanctions bill means for India

The legislation gives the US president a legal framework to impose additional tariffs of up to 100% on goods from countries meeting specified conditions linked to Russian energy purchases. The measure does not itself mean that India has automatically been hit with a 100% tariff. Any such tariff would depend on the provisions of the legislation and subsequent action by the US administration.

The House passed the bill by 262 votes to 159. It now moves to President Donald Trump for consideration.

The legislation also targets Russia’s energy and defence sectors and seeks to tighten measures against vessels associated with efforts to circumvent existing sanctions.

India faces fresh pressure over Russian energy trade

India has remained a major buyer of Russian energy, making the tariff provisions particularly significant for its trade relationship with the US.

However, the passage of the bill does not by itself establish that India will face a 100% tariff. The legislation creates the authority for such action subject to specified conditions and subsequent decisions by the US administration.

Saudi Arabia placed Mecca under an unprecedented air raid alert after its air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of the holy city.

The alert came amid repeated attacks on Saudi Arabia by the Iran-backed Houthis in recent days. The latest escalation has increased security concerns around the kingdom, including the holy city of Mecca.

Houthi drone intercepted near Mecca

According to the report, Saudi air defences intercepted the drone before it could enter Mecca’s prohibited airspace.

The incident prompted Saudi authorities to issue an alert in Mecca. Similar warnings were also issued in Jeddah and Taif as the kingdom faced a series of attacks linked to the ongoing escalation.

The Saudi-led coalition later said the drone had been destroyed south of Mecca. A coalition spokesperson described the safety of Mecca as a “red line” and warned of a response to further attacks.

Houthis step up attacks on Saudi Arabia

The latest incident comes amid renewed fighting between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.

The Houthis have also declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia and targeted ships in the Red Sea, according to the report. The developments have widened the security concerns facing Saudi Arabia.

The alerts in Mecca, Jeddah and Taif were brief and were later lifted after authorities determined that the immediate danger had passed.