US Investigation Suggests American Forces Likely Responsible for Iranian Girls’ School Strike

A preliminary investigation by U.S. military officials suggests that American forces were likely responsible for a deadly strike that hit a girls’ school in southern Iran, according to officials familiar with the inquiry. However, the investigation is still ongoing and no final conclusion has been reached.

The incident occurred during the early stages of the recent military escalation involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The strike targeted an area near the city of Minab, in Iran’s Hormozgan province, where a school building was hit during the first wave of attacks.

Deadly Strike on a Girls’ School in Minab

The attack reportedly struck the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school, causing one of the deadliest civilian incidents since the start of the conflict. Iranian authorities said the strike killed more than 160 people, many of them schoolchildren, and injured dozens more.

Images and videos from the scene showed destroyed classrooms, collapsed structures, and emergency responders searching through rubble for survivors. According to reports, most of the victims were young girls aged between seven and twelve years old.

The tragedy quickly drew international attention, with human rights organizations and global leaders calling for a transparent investigation into the incident.

Preliminary US Military Findings

According to U.S. officials cited by international media, early findings from a military investigation suggest that American forces may have been responsible for the strike, although investigators are still analyzing the available evidence.

Officials familiar with the investigation indicated that the preliminary assessment was based on available intelligence and operational data. However, they stressed that the investigation has not yet reached a definitive conclusion and that additional information could change the findings.

Defense officials also noted that investigators are reviewing various factors, including:

the type of weapon used

targeting data from the operation

satellite imagery and radar information

operational records from military units involved in the strikes

Because the situation occurred during a large military operation involving multiple strikes, determining responsibility may require extensive analysis.

US Officials Respond

U.S. officials have repeatedly stated that American forces do not deliberately target civilian structures, including schools.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States would never intentionally attack a school and emphasized that the Pentagon is reviewing the incident carefully.

Defense officials also confirmed that the U.S. military is cooperating with investigators to determine exactly what happened during the strike.

International Reaction and Calls for Accountability

The United Nations and several international organizations have called for a thorough and independent investigation into the bombing.

UN officials emphasized that schools are protected under international humanitarian law and should never be targeted during military operations. The attack has therefore raised serious concerns about the protection of civilians in conflict zones.

Human rights organizations have also urged all parties involved in the conflict to respect international law and take measures to prevent civilian casualties.

Context of the Broader Conflict

The strike occurred during a wider escalation between Iran and its adversaries. The conflict intensified after large-scale military operations targeted multiple Iranian facilities.

Military analysts say the situation has significantly increased tensions across the Middle East and raised fears of a broader regional conflict.

The attack on the Minab school is considered the deadliest civilian casualty event since the start of the military campaign, highlighting the risks that modern warfare poses to civilian populations.

Ongoing Investigation

Investigators are continuing to review operational data and intelligence reports to determine the exact cause of the strike.

Officials caution that preliminary findings could change as new evidence emerges. Determining responsibility for incidents during large-scale military operations can be complex, particularly when multiple forces and weapons systems are involved.

For now, the incident remains under investigation, and international observers are closely watching for further developments.