U.S. military investigators believe American forces are likely responsible for a devastating explosion at a girls’ school in southern Iran. The preliminary findings center on a deadly attack that struck the Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school in the city of Minab on February 28. The incident occurred on the first day of a joint military bombing campaign conducted by the United States and Israel against Iran.
While the military investigation is still ongoing, the Iran school strike has triggered international outrage and demands for transparency. Search and rescue teams, along with desperate family members, spent the weekend digging through debris to find loved ones after half of the educational facility was leveled.
Conflicting Reports on the Death Toll
The exact number of casualties from the explosion remains disputed, with various organizations and officials providing different figures. According to Iranian authorities, the attack killed at least 165 students. However, United Nations experts have stated that the strike resulted in the deaths of 160 children.
Adding to the varying accounts, a report from The New York Times cited at least 175 fatalities, while early statements from Iran carried by the BBC reported at least 153 dead. Furthermore, the Iranian Red Crescent announced that overall airstrikes across Iran since the campaign began have caused at least 201 deaths and 747 injuries.
The human toll of the attack was visible on Tuesday when thousands of mourners gathered in the streets of Minab for mass funerals. Iranian state television broadcasted footage of small coffins draped in Iranian flags. Verified video from the immediate aftermath of the explosion showed heavy smoke rising from the building as panicked crowds gathered around the site.
Preliminary Military Probe Details
Two U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, revealed that military investigators currently suspect American involvement in the strike. Despite this tentative assessment, the officials emphasized that the inquiry is not yet finalized.
Many critical details remain unknown. Investigators have not publicly identified the specific evidence that led to their preliminary conclusion, nor have they confirmed what type of munitions were used in the attack. The officials also noted that investigators have not determined a rationale for why American forces might have hit the school. They did not rule out the possibility that emerging evidence could eventually absolve the United States and point to another responsible party.
The school’s proximity to military infrastructure may be a factor in the investigation. The Shajareh Tayyebeh facility is located approximately 600 meters from a naval base operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This nearby base has been a known target during the ongoing military operations.
Statements from American Officials
Top U.S. officials have acknowledged the incident but remained cautious about assigning blame before the investigation concludes. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced questions about the bombing during a press conference on Wednesday. He provided limited details, confirming only that the military is actively looking into the situation. Hegseth stated that the military never targets civilian sites but is reviewing the matter.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also addressed the explosion, telling reporters on Monday that American forces would not intentionally target a school. He directed further questions to the defense department, which is handling the official probe.
At the White House, press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement confirming that the government is investigating. She also asserted that the Iranian regime, rather than the United States, bears responsibility for civilian casualties. Meanwhile, Pentagon spokesperson Captain Timothy Hawkins stated it would be inappropriate to provide further comments while the investigation is active. Two days after the attack, First Lady Melania Trump also mentioned the conflict, stating she hoped for peace for all children.
United Nations Demands an Impartial Investigation
The international community has strongly condemned the attack. The United Nations human rights office formally requested that the forces responsible for the strike initiate a prompt, impartial, and thorough investigation. U.N. spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani described the bombing as absolutely horrific. She noted that photographs of the devastated school capture the destruction, despair, and cruelty inherent in the conflict.
The U.N. committee on the rights of the child, a group of 18 independent specialists, issued a statement expressing profound alarm over the targeting of civilian facilities. The committee stressed that children must be protected from the violence of war, highlighting the trauma and harm inflicted on young students in Minab.
Iranian officials have also appealed directly to the United Nations. Ali Bahreini, Iran’s envoy to the U.N. in Geneva, sent a letter to High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on March 1. In the correspondence, Bahreini condemned the deadly strike on the school as an unjustifiable and criminal act.
