GENEVA, June 23, 2025 (BSS/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 UN's 
Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, along with the UN'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 UN 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.