U.S. military investigators believe American forces were likely responsible for a strike that hit an Iranian girls' school, killing scores of children. The incident, which occurred during the initial day of U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, is being investigated, though a definitive conclusion has not yet been reached. Evidence, including satellite imagery and witness accounts of multiple explosions, suggests precision impacts consistent with air-to-surface munitions, rather than a malfunctioning Iranian missile.
Precision of Strike Fuels U.S. Involvement Speculation
Analysis of evidence, including satellite imagery and geolocated videos, points to the likelihood that U.S. forces carried out the strike on the Shajareh Tayyiba elementary school in Minab. The attack coincided with an operation U.S. forces likely conducted on a neighboring Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval base. Munitions experts and public statements from U.S. officials further support this assessment. The precision of the impacts, hitting multiple buildings within a compound labeled as the Seyyed Al-Shohada Cultural Complex, contrasts with claims of accidental Iranian missile malfunctions.
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The Deadly Incident
The school, identified by Iranian media as the Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school, was struck on Saturday, February 28, amid a broader wave of U.S. and Israeli attacks across Iran. Iranian authorities reported the explosion in Minab, southern Hormozgan province, resulted in the deaths of 150 individuals, predominantly schoolgirls and staff. This event marks the deadliest instance of civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict.
Conflicting Narratives and Denials
"The secretary of state, Marco Rubio, told reporters on Monday that the US would not deliberately target a school."
While Iranian state-run media initially suggested Israel was responsible, Israeli sources have denied involvement, stating their air force was not operating in the area at the time of the incident. U.S. officials have acknowledged investigating the strike, with the Pentagon chief, Pete Hegseth, stating the military was "taking a look and investigating that." However, a U.S. Defense Department spokesperson directed inquiries to Central Command.
Background of the Conflict
The strikes on Iran, which began on Saturday, have been part of a large-scale operation. Reports indicate that while Israel has primarily targeted northern Iran, U.S. forces have focused on the south. This particular incident occurred on the first day of the school week in Iran. The conflict has reportedly led to the deaths of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and numerous high-ranking officials.
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