UN Warns of Humanitarian Crisis in Iran: Citizens Caught Between War and Brutal Repression
UN investigators have warned that warfare ravaging the Middle East has the potential to worsen institutional repression against civilians in Iran. In a report released on Wednesday (11 March), the UN’s International Independent Fact-Finding Mission stated that Iran’s population now finds itself in a precarious position amid armed hostilities and domestic persecution that has reached deadly levels.
The deep human rights crisis is expected to deteriorate following a series of air strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran since 28 February, met with retaliatory strikes by Iran across various Gulf regions.
The three-member investigative team has identified clear patterns related to the on-ground situation. They highlighted that protection of civilians, including detainees, becomes extremely vulnerable during armed conflict.
“The protection of civilians, including detainees, becomes critically urgent during armed conflict, and afterwards, state repression intensifies, particularly when internet and connectivity shutdowns are imposed, as is currently happening,” the mission team stated in an official statement.
The mission was established by the UN Human Rights Council in November 2022, triggered by the Iranian government’s crackdown on mass demonstrations following the death of Mahsa Amini. However, the situation is now considered more severe due to large-scale military operations predicted to last weeks or months.
The report covers the period from April 2025 to February 2026. The team found that patterns of state repression not only persisted but evolved to become more entrenched. Security forces were reported to have deployed extensive lethal force, including assault rifles and heavy machine guns, resulting in substantial numbers of deaths and injuries.
Investigators also highlighted specific incidents during the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June 2025. Regarding the assault on Evin prison complex that killed approximately 80 people, the mission found evidence of serious violations.
“Regarding the attack on Evin prison complex, the mission found that Israel deliberately targeted civilians in what constitutes a war crime,” the report stated.
On the other hand, the team also found that many grave human rights violations committed by the Iranian government can be categorised as crimes against humanity. These include killings, imprisonment, torture, sexual violence, gender-based persecution, forced disappearance, and other inhumane acts perpetrated as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population.
The UN mission urges immediate cessation of attacks by all parties to prevent further civilian casualties, both within Iran and broadly across the Middle East region.