Preliminary US Inquiry Finds American Forces Likely Hit Iranian School

The findings are already raising difficult questions…

A preliminary U.S. investigation has found that American forces were likely responsible for the missile strike that destroyed a girls’ elementary school in southern Iran, killing scores of children and teachers, according to officials familiar with the inquiry.

The strike hit the Shajareh Tayyebeh primary school in the city of Minab on Feb. 28, the opening day of the war between the United States–Israel alliance and Iran. Iranian authorities say about 168-180 people were killed, most of them schoolgirls between the ages of 7 and 12.

Preliminary inquiry points to U.S. error

Officials briefed on the early findings say the attack appears to have been an unintended U.S. strike caused by faulty or outdated intelligence that misidentified the area as part of a military target.

According to investigators, U.S. forces were conducting strikes nearby as part of a broader campaign against Iranian military facilities when the school was hit.

Evidence examined so far reportedly includes:

• Satellite imagery showing precision strikes in the area
• Verified video footage of a Tomahawk cruise missile hitting the nearby military compound
• Debris from munitions linked to U.S. weapons systems

The school was located next to a complex associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), though investigators say the educational building had been separated from the military compound for years and was clearly identifiable as a school.

Trump continues to blame Iran

President Donald Trump has rejected claims that the United States is responsible, instead blaming Iran for the tragedy and arguing that Iranian weapons may have struck the school accidentally.

The White House has said the investigation is still ongoing and emphasized that U.S. forces do not deliberately target civilians.

However, some U.S. lawmakers have begun acknowledging the possibility that the strike was an American mistake. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) publicly apologized for the incident, describing it as a tragic error and stressing that the United States does not intentionally attack civilians.

Deadliest civilian strike of the war

If confirmed, the attack would represent the deadliest single civilian incident of the conflict so far.

Rescue crews in Minab reported that the school building collapsed during class hours when hundreds of students were present. Many victims were killed instantly when the roof caved in.

The strike has drawn international condemnation. The United Nations and UNESCO have called for a full investigation, warning that attacks on schools can constitute violations of international humanitarian law.

Investigation still ongoing

U.S. Central Command has not issued a final report on the incident, and officials stress that the preliminary findings could change as investigators analyze additional evidence.

For now, the inquiry appears to point toward a targeting or intelligence failure rather than an intentional attack, though the full circumstances of the strike remain under review.

The outcome of the investigation could have major implications for the conflict and for Washington’s international standing as civilian casualties mount during the escalating war with Iran.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

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