Allegations Surface Over Deadly Strike on Iranian Elementary School Amid US Military Operations

By Folarin Adeyemi Aluko

An investigation conducted by the The New York Times has suggested that the United States is most likely responsible for a strike that reportedly killed more than 150 people at an elementary school in southern Iran.

The strike occurred on February 28 in the town of Minab, where Iranian authorities claimed at least 150 civilians were killed when the Shajare Tayyebeh Elementary School was struck during ongoing military operations.

Neither the United States nor Israel has officially claimed responsibility for the attack. The location of the strike was reportedly close to installations controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), raising questions about the intended target.

The United States Department of Defense confirmed that it has opened an internal investigation into the incident. According to reports cited by the New York Times, U.S. military statements indicated that forces were conducting operations against naval targets near the Strait of Hormuz, a region that hosts significant Iranian military infrastructure.

Social media analysis, witness videos, and photographic evidence reviewed by investigators reportedly showed that the school was struck at the same time as a nearby IRGC naval installation. Intelligence assessments suggested the operation may have targeted military assets but caused devastating collateral damage.

Military officials told Reuters that U.S. investigators believe it is “likely” that American forces were responsible, although no formal conclusion has been announced. Independent verification of casualty figures has not been possible due to restricted access to the site.

General Dan Caine, a senior U.S. military commander, acknowledged that American forces were conducting air and naval strikes across southern Iran during the first 100 hours of the operation. Maps presented during briefing sessions reportedly showed Minab within the operational strike zone.

The New York Times analysis also revealed that historical satellite imagery from 2013 showed the building once formed part of an IRGC naval base. However, later modifications added features typical of an educational facility, including a sports field and recreational structures.

Human rights observers have raised concerns about the attack. Hengaw Organization for Human Rights stated that approximately 170 students were attending morning classes at the school when the strike reportedly occurred.

Former U.S. State Department official Beth Van Schaack told the New York Times that given U.S. intelligence capabilities, military planners should have been aware of the presence of a school in the vicinity.

When asked about U.S. involvement, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “Not that we know of.”

The incident has intensified global concern over the conduct of the war, with humanitarian organisations warning that attacks on civilian infrastructure could escalate international tensions and deepen the humanitarian crisis in the region.