Amnesty International Urges War Crimes Probe for Tehran

Amnesty International has demanded urgent, independent investigations into US-Israeli coalition airstrikes on Tehran in March 2026, stating the attacks that killed and injured dozens of civilians may amount to war crimes. The organization's new briefing calls for accountability for possible indiscriminate attacks violating international humanitarian law as hostilities escalate between the USA and Iran.

The human rights group investigated air strikes on the Niloufar, Resalat, and Javadieh neighbourhoods between March 1 and 13, 2026. It found evidence that explosive weapons with wide area effects were used in densely populated areas, causing extensive civilian casualties and damage to homes and businesses.

Civilian Toll Across Three Neighbourhoods

Amnesty International's research documented specific civilian casualties in each targeted area. The organization analysed satellite imagery, verified 60 online videos, reviewed official statements, and conducted interviews with two individuals inside Iran, using pseudonyms for their security.

In Resalat, air strikes on March 9 destroyed or damaged a facility belonging to a Basij battalion of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The strikes also hit at least three nearby buildings, killing 16 civilians. Satellite imagery shows four distinct buildings with heavy damage, including a residential building known as "Number 12." An eyewitness told Amnesty International that at least 13 civilians in that building were killed, including 12 members of one family.

In Niloufar, an attack on March 1 killed at least 20 civilians. The strike, occurring around 9 p.m. When restaurants and cafes were open, directly destroyed the 104 Abbas Abad Police Station. Verified videos show the blast caused extensive damage to surrounding apartment buildings and shops up to approximately 100 metres away.

In Javadieh, an attack on March 13 killed at least five civilians from the same family and injured dozens. The strike destroyed parts of Police Station 117 and other nearby buildings, with blast impact extending over 50 metres. Amnesty International's weapons experts analysed a photograph published by state media and identified objects consistent with a component of a US-manufactured Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kit, used by both US and Israeli forces.

Allegations of Legal Violations

Amnesty International contends the strikes show a failure by the US-Israeli coalition to take feasible precautions to minimize civilian harm. "The available evidence in Tehran points to a series of strikes using explosive weapons with wide area effects on security-related facilities within densely populated urban areas, with devastating and yet entirely predictable consequences for civilians," said Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

The organization states that while police stations in Iran may qualify as military objectives, the use of wide-area explosive weapons in crowded civilian areas raises serious legal concerns. Neither the USA nor Israel confirmed carrying out these three specific attacks, though both announced strikes on "regime" targets in Tehran that March.

Calls for Investigation and Ceasefire

Amnesty International is calling for multiple accountability measures. It urges the USA, Israel, and Iran to invite the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission to conduct enquiries into allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian law by all parties.

The organization also renews its call for an enduring ceasefire and accountability for unlawful attacks on Iran in violation of the UN Charter. It urges the UN Security Council and General Assembly to consider all possible avenues to ensure peace and justice.

Amnesty International wrote to Israeli and US authorities on July 17, 2026, and to Iranian authorities on July 31, 2026. It received no response by the time of publication. The briefing links the Tehran incidents to a broader pattern, noting that US and Israeli joint attacks since late February 2026 have killed at least 1,469 civilians in Iran, according to official figures, amid ongoing regional retaliation.