According to a recent report from Amnesty International, three military strikes conducted by the United States and Israel in Tehran during March could potentially be classified as war crimes. The human rights organization contends that, although the targets of these attacks may have had some justification under international law, the resulting damage to civilian areas was foreseeable.
Amnesty International has urged both the US and Israel to permit independent inquiries into these incidents. The organization highlighted that the strikes on densely populated neighborhoods in Tehran resulted in the deaths of at least 41 civilians and called for formal investigations into these operations, arguing that the extent of the destruction and the choice of weaponry might constitute war crimes.
The report analyzed the events from March, utilizing social media footage, eyewitness testimonies, and official reports from Iranian state media to scrutinize the legitimacy of the military actions. While the intended targets, such as police stations and paramilitary facilities, could be deemed lawful, Amnesty stated that the damage inflicted on surrounding civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings and businesses in crowded areas, warranted a reevaluation of these attacks due to the “entirely predictable consequences for civilians.”
Andrew Witheford, a spokesperson for Amnesty International Australia, emphasized the obligation of military forces to take necessary precautions to prevent civilian casualties. He stated, “If possible, they should issue warnings, and the force used must be proportionate to the military objectives at hand. Our analysis of these three attacks suggests that these standards were not met.”
Amnesty has characterized the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran as unlawful. The organization insists that independent investigations should be conducted into not only the three strikes in question but also a widely condemned attack on a school in Minab, which resulted in the loss of 150 lives, including 120 children.
When questioned about the likelihood of such investigations being initiated, Witheford expressed skepticism, stating, “It saddens me to say that the prospects do not appear promising at this stage.”
Among the incidents reviewed by Amnesty was an attack on Niloufar Square in central Tehran on March 1, the second day of the conflict. Although a police station was reportedly the target, substantial damage was inflicted on nearby residential buildings and businesses, with Iranian officials reporting at least 20 civilian fatalities. A local journalist, referred to as “Kiana,” described the aftermath as “horrific,” noting that between 15 and 20 apartment complexes sustained damage from the blasts and that a father and son working at a bakery were among the deceased.
The second incident occurred on March 9 in the Resalat neighborhood of eastern Tehran, where at least 16 individuals were killed, including 12 members of a single family. This strike seemed to target a facility associated with the Basij, a paramilitary organization linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Amnesty’s findings indicated that while three buildings were severely affected, only one was verified as a residential structure, with sources claiming that all residents of the targeted building were civilians and reporting gruesome injuries and fatalities.
The third attack examined took place on March 13 in Javadieh, a southern Tehran neighborhood known for its aging infrastructure and closely packed homes. At least five people lost their lives in this incident, which also appeared to target a police station. Reports indicated that several other buildings, including an apartment complex and local businesses, were either destroyed or severely damaged. Amnesty noted that a photograph released by state media suggested the use of components from an American guided missile system by the military forces involved.
The implications of these strikes extend significantly beyond the immediate targets. Although the US and Israel have not yet responded to Amnesty’s findings, they have previously defended their military actions as compliant with international law, asserting that they do not intentionally target civilians.
Amnesty acknowledged that the Iranian government’s control over police forces might render police stations legitimate military targets, despite the general classification of police as civilian entities. They also noted that the Basij could qualify as a military objective under international humanitarian law. However, the organization raised “serious concerns” regarding potential violations of international law, particularly regarding the principles of distinction and precautions in military engagements.
Following nearly four months of conflict that has resulted in approximately 7,000 deaths across the Middle East, a peace agreement has finally been reached between Iran and the United States. Meanwhile, ABC’s Asia Editor, Karishma Vyas, has reported on the sentiments of women in the region who are advocating for vengeance rather than peace with America.
In relation to the Niloufar incident, Amnesty reiterated that the presence of civilians was easily foreseeable. They argued that even if the police station could be considered a military objective, the timing and location of the attack, along with the surrounding civilian presence, necessitated that all feasible precautions be taken to avoid or minimize civilian casualties and damage to civilian property.
