Newly Verified Footage Shows US Tomahawk Missile Strike Near Iranian Girls' School
Freshly analysed and verified video footage appears to show a United States Tomahawk missile exploding in close proximity to a girls' elementary school in the southern Iranian city of Minab. This incident occurred on the inaugural day of the joint US-Israeli military assault, with Iranian authorities reporting a death toll of approximately 175 individuals, although this figure has not yet been independently corroborated.
Conflicting Claims of Responsibility Emerge
While US military investigators stated last week that American forces were likely responsible for the strike, former President Donald Trump has publicly blamed Iran. In remarks to reporters, Trump asserted the strike was "done by Iran," criticising their munitions accuracy. Conversely, US Defence Secretary Hegseth emphasised that an investigation is ongoing, stating "the only side that targets civilians is Iran."
US Ambassador to the UN Michael Waltz declined to endorse Trump's allegations over the weekend, noting the investigation is proceeding. "As Secretary Hegseth said, it's under investigation," Waltz commented. "I can tell you, as a veteran, in no uncertain terms, the United States does everything it can to avoid civilian casualties. Sometimes, of course, tragic mistakes occur."
Detailed Investigation and Evidence Analysis
The newly surfaced clip, verified by reputable organisations including the Washington Post, New York Times, and Bellingcat, displays a substantial plume of black smoke following what seems to be a Tomahawk missile impact near the school. The United States remains the sole nation directly engaging Iran known to possess Tomahawk missiles.
An extensive investigation by the New York Times, incorporating satellite imagery, social media content, and authenticated videos, suggests the school was struck concurrently with US attacks on adjacent structures. The Pentagon had previously confirmed executing strikes on a naval base operated by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps located near the educational facility.
International Condemnation and Broader Conflict Impact
United Nations experts have condemned the attack as a "grave assault on children, on education, and on the future of an entire community," stressing there is "no excuse for killing girls in a classroom." They added that "an attack on a functioning school during class hours raises the most serious concerns under international law and must be urgently, independently, and effectively investigated, with accountability for any violations. Civilians must never be treated as collateral."
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 1,600 people have lost their lives in Iran since the conflict's commencement, including a minimum of 1,200 civilians and 194 children. Dozens more have been killed across the region by Iranian retaliatory attacks targeting Israel, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. To date, seven US service members have been killed in the ongoing hostilities.
The Independent has reached out to the US military's Central Command for additional commentary regarding these developments.
