A video has emerged showing a US Tomahawk missile striking an Iranian naval base adjacent to a primary school in Minab, where more than 168 people, mostly children, were killed. The footage, released by the Iranian news agency Mehr and geolocated by Bellingcat, adds to evidence indicating the US was responsible for the school strike on 28 February, when US-Israeli strikes on Iran began.
The strike demolished approximately half of Shajareh Tayyebeh primary school, killing scores of girls aged seven to 12 during morning classes. Combined with other verified videos, photos, and satellite imagery, the evidence points to the US targeting the adjacent Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) naval compound, with the school caught in the attack.
The evidence directly contradicts US President Donald Trump's claim on Sunday that Iran was responsible. 'In my opinion, based on what I've seen, that was done by Iran,' Trump said, without offering evidence. Munitions experts confirm the missile shown in the video is a Tomahawk, used only by the US in the current conflict. 'The video shows a Tomahawk missile striking a target. Given the belligerents, that indicates it is a US strike, as Israel is not known to possess Tomahawk missiles,' said NR Jenzen-Jones of Armament Research Services.
Satellite imagery shows at least four buildings were hit: the school and three IRGC compound buildings. Although the school was once part of the IRGC complex, it had been walled off for at least eight years and featured clear markers of an educational building, including playing fields and colourful murals. US military spokespeople say they are 'investigating' the strike, which Unesco has called a 'grave violation' of international law, and Human Rights Watch has urged be investigated as a war crime.
