Pentagon Investigation Says US Strike in Iran School Attack Killed Over 170 Children
A preliminary investigation by the Pentagon has reportedly found that the United States was likely responsible for a deadly missile strike that hit a school in southern Iran, killing more than 170 people, many of them children. The incident has triggered international outrage and renewed scrutiny over military targeting practices during the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
The strike occurred on February 28 in the city of Minab in Iran’s Hormozgan province, where the Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school was destroyed during a series of missile attacks. According to Iranian authorities, between 168 and 180 people were killed in the explosion, with the majority of victims believed to be schoolchildren and teachers.
Reports citing officials familiar with the investigation say the strike may have been caused by outdated intelligence used during military targeting operations. U.S. Central Command reportedly relied on old data from the Defense Intelligence Agency that mistakenly identified the building as part of a nearby military facility.
Investigators believe the school building had once been located within or close to a compound used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. However, the site had reportedly been separated from the military complex years earlier and was functioning solely as a civilian educational facility at the time of the attack.
According to analysts reviewing satellite images and other evidence, the missile strike caused the school’s roof to collapse while students were inside the building. Emergency responders and local residents rushed to the scene to search for survivors trapped beneath the debris.
The tragedy has become one of the deadliest civilian casualty incidents in the ongoing war involving Iran and Western-backed forces. If confirmed, it would also represent one of the most significant civilian loss events linked to U.S. military operations in recent years.
Early evidence suggests that the strike may have been carried out using a Tomahawk cruise missile, a weapon commonly used by the U.S. military in precision strike operations. Analysts reviewing images of missile fragments found near the site believe they match components from U.S.-made munitions.
The Pentagon has not yet released a final conclusion from its investigation. Officials say the inquiry remains ongoing and that investigators are examining intelligence reports, satellite imagery, targeting procedures, and operational communications to determine how the error occurred.
U.S. government officials have acknowledged that the investigation is still underway and have urged patience while military analysts review the evidence.
The incident has sparked strong reactions from lawmakers and human rights organizations. Several members of the U.S. Congress have called for greater transparency and a full public explanation of how a school could have been mistakenly targeted during a military operation.
Critics have also raised concerns that recent reductions in programs designed to minimize civilian casualties may have weakened safeguards intended to prevent incidents like the Minab strike.
International organizations have also expressed alarm. Human rights advocates say attacks on schools during armed conflicts may constitute violations of international humanitarian law, which requires all parties in a conflict to avoid targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The Iranian government strongly condemned the strike and described it as a war crime, calling for international investigations and accountability for those responsible.
Meanwhile, the White House has faced growing political pressure over the incident. Reports indicate that President Donald Trump initially questioned whether the United States was responsible for the strike but later said the administration would review the findings of the Pentagon investigation.
Global reactions to the incident have been intense, with many governments calling for restraint and urging all sides to prioritize civilian protection during military operations.
The Minab school attack has also reignited debate over the reliability of intelligence used in modern warfare. Experts warn that outdated or inaccurate information can lead to catastrophic consequences when used to guide precision weapons.
As investigators continue to review the circumstances surrounding the strike, the tragedy has become a symbol of the devastating human cost of armed conflict, particularly for children caught in the middle of geopolitical battles beyond their control.
Further findings from the Pentagon investigation are expected in the coming weeks, which may determine whether the strike was the result of a critical intelligence failure, operational error, or a broader breakdown in military targeting procedures.
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