Preliminary Inquiry Blames US for Deadly Iranian School Strike
A preliminary investigation into a devastating airstrike on a girls' elementary school in Iran has reportedly found the United States military at fault, according to officials familiar with the inquiry. The attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab, which occurred on February 28 during a joint US-Israeli bombing campaign, has killed at least 175 people, primarily students, in what is feared to be the single deadliest incident of the ongoing conflict.
Details of the Attack and Escalating Death Toll
The missile strike hit the school around 10:45 AM local time on the first day of the military operations, when the facility was occupied due to Iran's six-day working week. Initial reports indicated five fatalities, but the death toll has risen dramatically over subsequent days, reaching 85, then 108, and finally 175, with an additional 95 injured. Satellite imagery shows the school was situated just 200 feet from a naval base belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), though authorities state the school had no association with the IRGC for the past nine years and was marked by colorful walls and paintings.
US Response and Investigation Findings
US officials have offered conflicting statements regarding the incident. A spokesman for US Central Command initially emphasized taking reports seriously and prioritizing civilian protection, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the matter was under investigation but stopped short of denying involvement. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed the US does not target civilians and accused Iran of propaganda.
However, military investigators, using satellite imagery, video footage, and social media analysis, believe the school was hit by a precision strike, possibly multiple times. The New York Times reported that the preliminary inquiry found the US responsible, attributing the strike to a Tomahawk missile launched based on outdated target coordinates provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency. President Donald Trump has alternately blamed Iran and suggested other countries might possess similar missiles, while recently stating he was unaware of the investigation's findings.
International and Iranian Reactions
UNESCO has strongly condemned the attack, calling it a "grave violation of humanitarian law" and emphasizing that attacks on educational institutions endanger students and undermine the right to education. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed condolences to the victims' families and condemned the "savage act," while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi vowed that the crimes would not go unanswered. Israel, though part of the joint campaign, has stated it was not operating near the school and does not believe its military was involved.
The incident has sparked international backlash, with California Governor Gavin Newsom criticizing the military campaign and highlighting the tragic loss of young lives. As the investigation continues, unanswered questions remain about the precise circumstances that led to the strike on the school, which has left a community in mourning and raised serious concerns about compliance with international humanitarian standards in conflict zones.
