Human Rights Watch issued a prompt statement on 28 February 2026 urging the United States, Israel, and Iran to respect international humanitarian law, announcing investigations into alleged violations following airstrikes and retaliatory attacks across the region (Human Rights Watch, 28 Feb 2026).

The group highlighted past documented abuses by all three actors, including unlawful strikes in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, and structural deficiencies in civilian harm mitigation, exacerbated by recent US policy shifts that removed legal safeguards within the Pentagon (reports since Jan 2025).

HRW emphasised protection of civilians, scrutiny of weapon use such as cluster munitions and landmines, and immediate steps to release arbitrarily detained protesters in Iran who face risks of torture and summary execution.

The statement noted reports that Israeli strikes in June 2025 hit Evin prison in Tehran, killing prisoners, and raised concern about the June 2025 and early‑2026 patterns of internet blackouts and curbs on humanitarian access that prevent independent verification (Human Rights Watch research, June 2025–Feb 2026).

The human‑rights imperative is clear: investigations, prompt accountability mechanisms, and safeguards for civilian life must accompany any military calculus.

Sources: Human Rights Watch, press statement, 28 Feb 2026; HRW documentation of earlier incidents, June 2025 onward.