US probes potential role in Iran girls’ school strike amid ongoing attacks
WASHINGTON, March 6 – U.S. military investigators are examining the possibility that American forces were responsible for a strike on a girls’ school in Minab, southern Iran, on Saturday that reportedly killed dozens of students, two U.S. officials said, though the inquiry has not yet reached a final determination.
The incident occurred during the first day of coordinated U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran.The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the investigation remains open and that new evidence could potentially attribute responsibility elsewhere. They declined to provide details on the type of munition used, what evidence informed the preliminary assessment, or the rationale for the potential strike.Pentagon and White House statementsU.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed on Wednesday that the Pentagon is conducting an investigation into the incident, emphasizing that the U.S. military does not target civilian sites. “We’re investigating that. We, of course, never target civilian targets. But we’re taking a look and investigating that,” Hegseth told reporters.The Pentagon referred inquiries to U.S. Central Command. Its spokesperson, Captain Timothy Hawkins, stated, “It would be inappropriate to comment given the incident is under investigation.”
The White House declined to directly address U.S. responsibility, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt asserting that Iran targets civilians and children, not U.S. forces.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated on Monday that the United States would not deliberately strike a school. “The Department of War would be investigating that if that was our strike, and I would refer your question to them,” Rubio said.Casualties and ongoing military operationsIranian officials, including Ambassador Ali Bahreini at the United Nations in Geneva, reported that 150 students were killed in the Minab strike, although Reuters could not independently verify the toll.
The attack took place amid the initial wave of U.S. and Israeli strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure.According to a senior Israeli official and a source with knowledge of joint operational planning, Israeli and U.S. forces have coordinated attacks geographically and by target type. Israel has focused on missile launch sites in western Iran, while U.S. forces have concentrated on southern targets, including naval facilities.The incident underscores the complex operational environment in southern Iran, where civilian areas are in proximity to military targets, and highlights the challenges of real-time verification during active hostilities.Investigation scope and implicationsThe U.S. inquiry is ongoing, and officials did not indicate how long it might continue or what specific evidence is being sought.
They stressed that preliminary assessments are subject to revision as further information becomes available. Analysts note that confirmation of U.S. responsibility could have significant diplomatic and legal ramifications, potentially influencing both U.S.-Iran relations and international perceptions of the military campaign.The investigation continues alongside active hostilities, with both U.S. and Israeli forces maintaining offensive operations against Iranian military installations, underscoring the evolving and high-stakes nature of the conflict.
