This UGC image posted on social media on June 23, 2025 shows a plume of smoke billowing after Israeli strikes in Tehran the same day. (Credit: UGC/AFP)
United Nations investigators warned Monday of the "extensive suffering" Israeli attacks are causing in Iran, voicing particular concern at the risk facing detainees held near sites being bombed.
They called on Israel to avoid hitting non-military targets and on Iran to move prisoners to safety.
On the 11th day of the escalating war between Israel and Iran, the U.N.'s Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, along with the U.N.'s special rapporteur on the rights situation in the country, called on all sides to "respect international law and protect civilians."
In a joint statement, they decried what appeared to be Israel's strikes on non-military targets.
"Some attacks – including the targeting of the headquarters of Iran's state broadcasting agency ... and the targeted killing of scientists – appear to have been carried out in violation of the principle of distinction under international humanitarian law," they said.
The independent experts, who are mandated by the U.N. Human Rights Council but who do not speak on behalf of the United Nations, in particular voiced concern about the situation of detainees in Iran "held in prisons near sites of bombings."
They urged "Iranian authorities to relocate prisoners away from locations at risk from the airstrikes."
The call came after Israel earlier Monday hit Tehran's notorious Evin jail, known to hold political prisoners, including a number of foreigners.
Since it began launching large-scale attacks targeting Iran's missile and nuclear facilities on June 13, Israeli strikes have killed more than 400 people in the country, Iran's health ministry has said.
Iran's attacks on Israel have killed 24 people, according to official figures.
