U.S. Military Investigators Suspect American Forces in Iranian School Strike
U.S. military investigators have tentatively concluded that American forces were likely responsible for a devastating strike on an Iranian girls' school that killed scores of children last Saturday, according to two anonymous U.S. officials. However, the investigation remains incomplete, with no final determination made, and officials caution that new evidence could potentially absolve the United States of responsibility.
Ongoing Investigation and Official Statements
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly acknowledged the military's investigation into the incident on Wednesday, emphasizing that the U.S. does not intentionally target civilians. "We're investigating that. We, of course, never target civilian targets. But we're taking a look and investigating that," Hegseth stated during a news briefing. The Pentagon has deferred questions to U.S. Central Command, whose spokesperson, Captain Timothy Hawkins, declined to comment, citing the active investigation.
The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, issued a statement indirectly addressing the matter, asserting that "the Iranian regime targets civilians and children, not the United States of America." Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated on Monday that the U.S. would not deliberately attack a school, referring inquiries to the Department of War for further investigation.
Details of the Incident and International Response
The strike targeted a girls' school in Minab, southern Iran, during the initial day of coordinated U.S. and Israeli attacks on the country. Iran's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, reported that 150 students were killed, although Reuters has been unable to independently verify this death toll. Images from Iranian state television showed the funeral of the victims, with small coffins draped in Iranian flags being carried through a large crowd.
The U.N. human rights office has called for a thorough investigation into the attack, with spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani stating, "The onus is on the forces that carried out the attack to investigate it." Under international humanitarian law, deliberately attacking a school or other civilian structure could constitute a war crime, adding significant legal implications to the probe.
Broader Context and Military Operations
This incident occurs amid a broader military campaign where U.S. and Israeli forces have reportedly divided their attacks in Iran by geography and target type. While Israel focused on missile launch sites in western Iran, the United States was engaged in strikes against similar targets, as well as naval objectives, in the southern region. If confirmed, U.S. involvement in the school strike would mark one of the worst cases of civilian casualties in decades of American military engagements in the Middle East.
As the investigation continues, key questions remain unanswered, including the type of munition used, the specific evidence leading to the preliminary assessment, and the timeline for completion. The officials speaking anonymously stressed that the investigation is ongoing, and all possibilities are being considered, including potential responsibility by other parties.
