The chair of the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, Sara Hossain, declared that an Israeli airstrike on a prison last year constitutes a war crime, warning of the risk of further repression amid the ongoing U.S. and Israeli bombing campaign.

According to Iranian authorities, more than 70 people were killed in the strike on Evin Prison in Tehran in June of last year. The prison was also damaged during recent U.S. and Israeli strikes, raising concerns for the safety of inmates, including a British couple.

"We have reasonable grounds to believe that in carrying out airstrikes on Evin Prison, Israel committed a war crime by deliberately targeting a civilian object," Hossain stated.

She reported 80 victims, including one child and eight women. Her latest report, based on interviews with survivors and witnesses, satellite imagery, and other documentation, was presented to the Council on Monday.

Israel did not participate in the discussion and left its seat empty during the session.

Hossain condemned the rising civilian death toll in Iran and expressed concern that the ongoing bombing campaign could lead to even harsher suppression of dissent. "The central finding of our investigations is clear: external military action does not ensure accountability or bring about meaningful change. On the contrary, it may intensify domestic repression," she said.

UN human rights expert on Iran, Mai Sato, also expressed concern for detainees, including those arrested during mass protests in January. Families have been unable to contact relatives, and food and medical supplies in prisons are dwindling, she noted.

Iranian Ambassador Ali Bahreini called for condemnation of the U.S. and Israeli strikes, which he said have killed more than 1,300 people in the country.