U.S. military investigators have tentatively concluded that an airstrike on an all-girls elementary school in Minab, Iran, was likely carried out by American forces, Reuters reports. Iranian authorities say at least 175 people—mostly children—were killed, while a human rights group estimates more than 1,000 civilian deaths since the bombing campaign began. The White House and Pentagon say the incident is under investigation, and Reuters has not independently confirmed the evidence or motive behind the strike.
Pentagon Says U.S. Forces Likely Struck Iranian Girls’ School; Probe Underway
Video of Girls' School Iranian Media Claims Was Hit By US/Israel Strike, Killing 50
U.S. military investigators have tentatively concluded that an airstrike that hit an all-girls elementary school in southern Iran was likely carried out by American forces, a Reuters report said, citing two U.S. officials. The assessment remains preliminary and Reuters said it could not independently corroborate the details.
What Reuters Reported
According to Reuters, which cited two anonymous U.S. officials, the Pentagon’s probe has led investigators to believe American munitions or forces were probably involved in the strike on the school in Minab. Reuters added that it could not determine what evidence supported the tentative conclusion, which type of munition was used, who was directly responsible, or why the site might have been struck.
Casualties and Context
Iranian authorities say the attack on the Minab girls’ school killed at least 175 people, most of them young girls. A human rights watchdog has reported that more than 1,000 civilians have died since the wider bombing campaign began on Saturday.
The U.S. and Israel began a joint bombing campaign against Iranian targets at the end of last week. Iranian officials have also reported that the strikes over the weekend killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior officials, a claim reported here as their account of events; independent verification has been limited amid the ongoing conflict.
U.S. Response and Investigation
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have said the incident is under investigation. Reuters has not published a timeline for how long the probe will take. The Pentagon’s provisional assessment is being reviewed as investigators seek forensic evidence and other corroboration.
Wider Impacts
President Donald Trump has defended the bombing campaign as necessary to degrade Iran’s nuclear capabilities; he previously said last year that Iran’s nuclear program had been "totally obliterated" after a U.S.-Israeli campaign. In related violence, six U.S. service members were reported killed in Kuwait in what Iranian authorities described as a retaliatory strike.
Note: Much of the information around the Minab school strike remains under investigation. Official assessments are preliminary and Reuters emphasized uncertainty about the evidence, responsibility and motive.
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