US Military Investigators Suspect US Strike Killed 150 at Iranian Girls' School
United States military investigators have reached a preliminary assessment that American forces were likely responsible for a devastating strike on an Iranian girls' school that reportedly killed 150 students, according to two officials familiar with the sensitive investigation. The incident occurred during the opening day of coordinated US-Israeli attacks against Iranian targets, marking one of the most serious civilian casualty events in recent Middle Eastern conflicts.
Investigation Ongoing Amid Conflicting Statements
The officials, who spoke anonymously due to the classified nature of military operations, emphasized that investigators have not yet reached a definitive conclusion about responsibility for the Saturday strike on Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' school in Minab. They acknowledged that new evidence could still emerge that might absolve the United States and point toward another responsible party in the tragic incident that has drawn international condemnation.
Iran's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, has publicly stated that the attack resulted in 150 student fatalities, though this death toll has not been independently verified by neutral observers or international organizations. The United Nations human rights office has called for a thorough investigation into the attack, with spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani emphasizing that "the onus is on the forces that carried out the attack to investigate it" during a Geneva press briefing.
US Officials Respond Cautiously to Allegations
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed that American military authorities are actively investigating the school strike, telling reporters during a Wednesday news briefing: "We're investigating that. We, of course, never target civilian targets. But we're taking a look and investigating that." When pressed about the incident, Hegseth notably avoided providing specific details about the ongoing inquiry.
The Pentagon has redirected questions to US Central Command, whose spokesperson Captain Timothy Hawkins stated: "It would be inappropriate to comment given the incident is under investigation." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement that did not directly address the investigation but asserted: "While the Department of War is currently investigating this matter, the Iranian regime targets civilians and children, not the United States of America."
Potential War Crime Implications
International legal experts note that deliberately attacking a school, hospital, or any civilian structure would likely constitute a war crime under established international humanitarian law. If subsequent investigation confirms American involvement in the strike, this incident would represent one of the worst cases of civilian casualties in decades of US military operations throughout the Middle East region.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the allegations on Monday, telling reporters: "The United States would not deliberately target a school. The Department of War would be investigating that if that was our strike, and I would refer your question to them." His comments reflect the administration's careful positioning as military investigators continue their work.
Coordinated Military Operations Under Scrutiny
According to a senior Israeli official and a source with direct knowledge of joint planning between the two allies, Israeli and American forces have maintained a division of targets and geographical responsibilities during their coordinated attacks against Iran. While Israeli forces have concentrated on striking missile launch sites in western Iran, American military operations have focused on similar targets as well as naval installations in southern regions of the country.
Journalists covering the conflict have been unable to obtain specific details about the school strike investigation, including what type of munition was employed, why American forces might have targeted the educational facility, or what evidence contributed to the preliminary assessment of US responsibility. Investigators have not indicated how much longer their inquiry will continue or what additional evidence they require before reaching final conclusions.
Iranian Response and Funeral Coverage
Iranian state television broadcast extensive coverage of the girls' funeral on Tuesday, showing images of small coffins draped with Iranian flags being carried from a truck through a large crowd toward burial sites. The emotional footage highlighted the human cost of the attack and intensified international scrutiny of the incident.
Satellite imagery from Planet Labs PBC reveals the extensive damage to the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' school building, with before-and-after photographs showing the structure largely destroyed. People have been seen sifting through rubble at the site in the aftermath of the apparent strike, searching for personal effects and attempting to assess the full extent of the destruction.
