Credited from: BBC
Recent footage published by Iranian state media shows what appears to be a U.S. Tomahawk missile strike at an area near the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, Iran, which reportedly killed over 168 people, including many children. This incident occurred on February 28, coinciding with attacks on a military compound used by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) nearby, according to SCMP, India Times, Channel News Asia, and AA.
Investigative group Bellingcat, which analyzed the video, concluded that it likely depicts a U.S. operation, as Tomahawk missiles are exclusive to U.S. forces in this conflict. Experts have suggested that the school was likely struck during a sequence of strikes, amplifying the confusion around the incident, as both the U.S. and Israel denied their involvement. President Trump asserted that the attack was a result of Iranian munitions, claiming they are "very inaccurate," yet evidence refutes this statement, as detailed by LA Times and BBC.
Rights groups and international observers have condemned the attack, highlighting it as a potential violation of humanitarian law. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has demanded a thorough investigation into the incident, underscoring the implications of military action near civilian sites, as noted by LA Times and India Times.
The U.S. military has stated they are reviewing the incident while reiterating their focus on military targets rather than civilian ones. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth remarked that the U.S. would not intentionally target a school, aligning with official claims of investigating the circumstances surrounding this specific strike, according to Channel News Asia and AA.
As investigations continue, several sources, including The New York Times and independent analysts, emphasize the need for accountability and transparency regarding military actions that affect civilian areas, highlighting the reliance on Tomahawk missiles by U.S. forces in this ongoing conflict, as asserted by LA Times and BBC.