The United Nations’ leading human rights body has reported finding reasonable grounds to believe that the United States committed war crimes in two strikes carried out in Iran, including one that targeted a school in Minab, resulting in the deaths of at least 177 civilians.

The report, released on Thursday, highlights concerns about the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in warfare. AI has significantly accelerated the process of identifying military targets, reducing decision times from several minutes to mere seconds in some cases. While this technological advancement aims to enhance precision, it also raises questions about how decisions to employ force are made, especially when civilians, including children, are present in the target area.

According to the UN investigation, the use of AI played a role in the US military operation, assisting intelligence analysts in the identification of targets. The organization’s findings suggest that despite the advanced technology, the strikes resulted in substantial civilian casualties, potentially constituting violations of international humanitarian law.

The United States Department of Defense has ongoing investigations into the incidents but has denied any wrongdoing. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly issued a statement asserting that Iran’s regime, rather than the US, is responsible for war crimes in the context of the conflict.

The report underscores the challenges posed by the integration of AI in modern warfare, emphasizing the need for rigorous oversight and accountability mechanisms to prevent civilian harm and ensure compliance with international legal standards.