UN mission finds US likely behind Iran school bombing

A bombing at a primary school in the Iranian city of Qazvin on 16 September killed 12 students and injured 27 others, according to local authorities. The attack, carried out with a 500‑kilogram explosive device, was described by the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs as “a deliberate act of terror against civilians.” In a statement released the following day, the UN mission in Iran accused the United States military of orchestrating the strike, citing intercepted communications and intelligence reports that allegedly linked a U.S. special‑operations unit to the operation.

The Iranian government has condemned the bombing as an “unacceptable assault on innocent children” and called for a full, independent investigation. Tehran’s foreign ministry demanded that the United Nations and the International Criminal Court be involved in probing the incident. The United States has issued a brief response, denying any involvement and urging the UN to verify the evidence before making accusations. Analysts note that the claim comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and the U.S., which has imposed a series of sanctions and maintained a covert military presence in the region, though no U.S. forces have been officially stationed in Iran.

The UN mission has called for an immediate, transparent inquiry and for the protection of schools and other civilian sites in conflict zones. Iranian officials have announced that security forces will increase patrols around educational institutions, while the international community has urged restraint and cooperation to prevent further civilian casualties. The investigation will likely involve both local and international bodies, with the outcome expected to shape diplomatic relations in the region.