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U.S. Officials Respond to Reports of Strike on Iranian School That Killed 175
The White House has distanced itself from responsibility for a devastating strike on a school in Minab, Iran, that reportedly killed 175 people, including 160 schoolchildren. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed allegations of U.S. involvement as “propaganda” during a recent press briefing.
When questioned about U.S. involvement in the attack, Leavitt responded, “Not that we know of,” while echoing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s statement that the Pentagon is currently “investigating” the incident. Neither official has explicitly confirmed or denied U.S. responsibility.
“The United States of America does not target civilians, unlike the rogue Iranian regime that targets civilians, that kills children… and uses propaganda quite effectively,” Leavitt told reporters, adding, “And unfortunately, many people in this room have fallen for that propaganda.”
According to Iranian state media and health officials, many of the children killed were between 8 and 10 years old, with reports that a two-month-old baby was also among the casualties. These would represent the first reported civilian deaths in the U.S. and Israel’s military campaign against Iran that began on February 28.
International news organizations and investigators have verified footage showing the aftermath of the strike and the destroyed school building. Iranian media has distributed images of graves being prepared for the victims, which have also been authenticated by independent sources.
Military experts speaking to NPR suggested that the location of the strikes in southeastern Iran and the types of munitions used point more toward U.S. involvement rather than Israeli operations. Satellite imagery analysis indicates the school may have been hit when U.S. forces were targeting a nearby military complex.
Media outlet Middle East Eye reports that witnesses described the attack as a “double-tap” strike—a controversial tactic designed to hit first responders arriving at the scene of an initial attack.
When pressed further, Leavitt defended U.S. military conduct: “I would caution you from pointing the finger at the United States of America when it comes to targeting civilians because that’s not something that these armed forces do.”
However, international legal experts note that unintentionally targeting a school can still constitute a war crime under international humanitarian law, which requires military forces to take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian casualties.
The current Trump administration has faced criticism for civilian casualties in other military operations. Reports indicate at least 150 civilians have been killed in boat strike campaigns against alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. One of President Trump’s first actions in his second term reportedly attempted to eliminate a Pentagon office responsible for limiting civilian deaths.
The broader military campaign against Iran has allegedly damaged numerous facilities protected under international law, including hospitals. According to Iranian human rights group HRANA, at least 1,097 civilians in Iran have been killed since the start of the U.S.-Israeli operations, including 181 children under the age of 10.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of escalating tensions in the region. The U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes on Saturday, with Iranian forces quickly retaliating against Israeli and U.S. military bases in the region.
Meanwhile, investigators have debunked emerging claims on social media suggesting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was responsible for the school attack. These narratives reportedly originated from online groups with ties to pro-monarchist factions aligned with Reza Pahlavi.
As investigations continue, the incident raises serious questions about military targeting protocols and the protection of civilian infrastructure in conflict zones, particularly facilities like schools that house vulnerable populations.
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12 Comments
This is a tragic and complex situation. While the U.S. officials’ skepticism is understandable given tensions with Iran, dismissing the reports as ‘propaganda’ seems premature. I hope the investigation can shed light on the truth and lead to accountability for any wrongdoing.
The U.S. officials’ response seems evasive and raises more questions than answers. Dismissing credible reports as ‘propaganda’ is concerning and undermines trust. I hope a full investigation can shed light on the tragic incident and determine if any party was responsible.
You make a fair point. Downplaying civilian casualties, regardless of the circumstances, is unacceptable. The public deserves a clear, evidence-based accounting of what occurred and who may be culpable.
The loss of innocent life, especially children, is always devastating. I hope the investigation can determine the facts and that any party found responsible, whether U.S., Iranian, or other, is held accountable through proper legal channels.
Well said. Regardless of the geopolitical dynamics at play, the priority should be establishing the truth and ensuring justice for the victims and their families.
The Iranian government’s record on human rights is concerning, but that doesn’t mean we should automatically dismiss reports of civilian casualties. A thorough, impartial investigation is needed to determine what really happened and who, if anyone, was responsible.
I agree, we should avoid knee-jerk reactions and instead focus on finding the facts. Maintaining objectivity and transparency is crucial, even when dealing with adversarial governments.
This is a troubling incident that deserves a thorough, impartial investigation. While the officials’ skepticism is understandable, dismissing credible reports as ‘propaganda’ is concerning and undermines trust. I hope the truth can be uncovered, and that any responsible parties are held accountable.
This is a sensitive geopolitical issue and I appreciate the officials’ caution, but their statements seem to lack transparency. I would encourage them to be more forthcoming with information, even if the details are still emerging. Maintaining credibility is crucial in a situation like this.
Civilian deaths, especially of children, are always heartbreaking. While the facts are still unclear, I hope the investigation can uncover the truth and ensure those responsible are held accountable, regardless of which country they represent.
This is a concerning and tragic incident, if the reports are accurate. As an independent observer, I would encourage caution and a thorough investigation to understand exactly what happened before drawing conclusions. Civilian casualties, especially of children, are always devastating.
I agree, the details here are murky and it’s important to rely on verified facts rather than propaganda from any side. A transparent inquiry is needed to uncover the truth and ensure accountability for any wrongdoing.