U.N.-mandated human rights experts say there are 'reasonable grounds' to suspect two U.S. strikes in Iran may amount to war crimes after attacks that reportedly killed at least 178 civilians. The Palestinian Authority condemned U.S. visa denials for its leaders and defended its international recognition efforts. Diplomatic tensions rose as Iran and Sweden expelled embassy staff, Israel and Morocco moved to deepen ties under the Abraham Accords, and Saudi allies condemned Houthi attacks from Yemen.
UN Experts Say There Are 'Reasonable Grounds' U.S. Strikes in Iran May Be War Crimes; Regional Tensions Rise
Colorful tree and flower decorations remain on the walls of a rubble-strewn classroom at Shajareh Tayyebeh school, damaged in a U.S. airstrike on Feb. 28, in Minab, southern Iran, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
United Nations–mandated human rights experts said on Thursday there are 'reasonable grounds' to believe two U.S. strikes in Iran on the opening day of the conflict may amount to war crimes. The findings come amid a series of diplomatic and security developments across the Middle East.
U.N. Investigation Highlights Civilian Toll
Investigators appointed by the U.N.'s top human rights body said their assessment focuses on two strikes that together killed at least 178 civilians, including women and children, on the first day of the war. According to an Associated Press investigation cited by the experts, at least one missile struck the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab.
The U.N.-backed team alleged potential war crimes in the attack on the 'clearly identifiable' school and in a separate airstrike where missiles dispersed tungsten pellets over a 'clearly identifiable sports complex and residential area' in the southern city of Lamerd. U.S. officials have not directly accepted responsibility or published findings from a Pentagon investigation into the incidents.
Palestinian Authority Criticizes U.S. Visa Denials
The Palestinian Authority condemned the U.S. decision to deny visas to President Mahmoud Abbas and other PA officials scheduled to attend the U.N. General Assembly. The PA called Israel's actions 'the real threat to the two-state solution and prospects for peace' and rejected U.S. accusations that it has glorified extremism or abandoned negotiations with Israel.
The PA reiterated its declared commitment to stalled peace talks while defending its strategy of seeking international recognition through institutions and courts—a move the U.S. argues 'internationalizes' the Israeli-Palestinian dispute and circumvents direct negotiations.
Diplomatic Tit-for-Tat Between Iran and Sweden
Tehran ordered a Swedish embassy employee to leave Iran within 48 hours, a day after Stockholm expelled an Iranian embassy staffer. Sweden said the expulsion followed 'activities incompatible with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations' and cited threats to national security. Iran dismissed the claims as 'baseless' and suggested, without evidence, that Israel influenced Sweden's decision.
Israel, Morocco Expand Ties Under Abraham Accords
Israel and Morocco announced plans to open embassies and broaden relations established under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, which in 2020 normalized ties between Israel and several Arab states. In a joint statement with the United States, the countries said deeper integration of Israel into the Arab world 'will lead to peace, stability and shared prosperity.' Both Israel and Morocco face elections in the coming weeks.
Saudi Defense Pact Members Condemn Houthi Attacks
Pakistan and Turkey—recent signatories to a defense cooperation framework with Saudi Arabia—condemned attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen targeting the kingdom. Turkey's defense ministry described the pact as defensive and focused on collective deterrence, military cooperation and institutionalizing the alliance. Pakistani officials said arrangements are underway to establish a secretariat for the pact.
Note: This article will be updated as new information becomes available.
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