An attack on an elementary school in southern Iran on February 28th, which killed more than 170 people, most of whom were children, has sparked outrage and calls for investigation in the United States.
Conflicting Accounts and Investigation
President Donald Trump initially blamed Iran for the bombing, stating on Saturday, “Based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran.” He further claimed Iran’s munitions are “particularly inaccurate.” However, he has since stated he “does not know” the details of the strike. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, present during Trump’s initial statement, declined to endorse the President’s assessment, noting the Pentagon was investigating.
A preliminary Department of Defense investigation, reported by The Modern York Times on Wednesday, found that the US military was responsible for the strike. When asked about taking responsibility following the report, Trump again stated, “I don’t know about it.”
Weaponry and Civilian Impact
New footage of the attack led several outlets to conclude the strike was carried out with a Tomahawk missile, a US weapon not possessed by Iran or Israel. Trump claimed Iran “also has some Tomahawks,” a statement dismissed by military experts. He added that Tomahawks are “very generic” and “sold to other countries.”
The February 28th attack is part of a larger conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, which has resulted in at least 1,300 deaths, according to Iranian officials.
Congressional Response
Republican Senator John Kennedy, a Trump ally, stated on Tuesday that the US was behind the strike, but characterized it as unintentional, adding he was “sorry it happened.” He did not provide details regarding the source of his assessment.
Nearly all Senate Democrats sent a letter to Defence Secretary Hegseth on Wednesday demanding answers regarding the Minab attack. The letter requested details on civilian harm mitigation measures and the role of artificial intelligence in target selection. The senators emphasized that the war against Iran is a “war of choice” and that the US and Israel must abide by US and international law.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the investigation into the school bombing?
Anger over the attack, which killed more than 170 people, mostly children, prompted calls for an investigation in the United States.
What was President Trump’s initial response to the bombing?
President Trump initially blamed Iran for the bombing, stating it was “done by Iran” due to their “inaccurate” munitions.
What did the preliminary Department of Defense investigation find?
The preliminary investigation found that the US military was behind the strike.
As investigations continue and details emerge, what impact will this event have on the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran?