Preliminary investigation by the New York Times indicates the United States mistakenly targeted an Iranian school, resulting in over 170 deaths.
US Military Targeting Error
According to a preliminary investigation reported by the New York Times on March 11, the attack on an Iranian school was due to a targeting error by American military forces. At the time, the USA was conducting strikes on a neighboring Iranian military base, which included a building that was previously used as a school.
Officials emphasized that these findings remain preliminary as the military investigation continues.
Deadly Attack on School
On February 28, the United States and Israel conducted strikes on targets in Iran as part of a large-scale military operation. One of the targeted facilities was an elementary school for girls in Minab, Hormozgan province in southern Iran. Approximately 170 students were present at the school when it was struck.
Casualties and Response
The victims in Minab were the first confirmed deaths on Iranian territory during the US-Israeli operation. They were students aged 7 to 12. Iran’s UN ambassador in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, stated that 150 female students were killed in the attack. According to Iranian authorities, over 170 people died in total, making it one of the most tragic civilian incidents since the escalation of conflict with Iran.
Investigation Findings
The New York Times reported on March 13 that military investigations, still ongoing, have determined that the United States was responsible for the attack on the Iranian school. On March 5, Reuters had also reported that US military investigators believed there was a high probability that US forces were behind the attack. Tomahawk missiles were used in the attack, which are exclusively in the US military arsenal.
US Position
The US side has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the attack, nearly two weeks after it occurred. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and President Trump have repeatedly stated only that an investigation is ongoing. Trump previously claimed Iran was responsible and accused Iran of being “very inaccurate” in its ammunition use.