United States military investigators believe that American forces may have been responsible for a deadly strike on a girls’ school in southern Iran, according to officials familiar with the ongoing investigation. The incident, which occurred in the city of Minab during the early phase of the ongoing Iran conflict, reportedly resulted in the deaths of dozens of students and has triggered international concern.
The investigation has not yet reached a final conclusion, but two US officials briefed on the inquiry said preliminary assessments suggest that the strike was likely carried out by US forces. However, officials also stressed that the investigation remains active and that new evidence could still change the findings.
The Pentagon has confirmed that a formal inquiry is under way, though it has not publicly stated who was responsible for the strike. US military leaders have emphasised that American forces do not intentionally target civilian infrastructure and that the incident is being carefully examined.
The strike occurred on the first day of coordinated US and Israeli attacks against Iran, which targeted military facilities, missile launch sites and naval assets across the country.
The school that was hit was located in Minab, a city in southern Iran. Iranian authorities claim the attack killed around 150 students, although independent verification of the exact casualty figures has not yet been possible.
The incident has drawn global attention because schools and other civilian structures are protected under international humanitarian law.
Investigation Into the School Strike
According to officials involved in the inquiry, US military investigators are examining available intelligence, satellite imagery and operational records to determine exactly what happened during the attack.
The investigation aims to identify the type of weapon used, the intended target and whether the strike may have resulted from incorrect targeting data or misidentification of a location.
Officials speaking on condition of anonymity said the preliminary assessment indicates that US forces could have been responsible for the strike. However, they also noted that the inquiry is ongoing and that investigators are considering all possible scenarios.
The Pentagon has not provided further details about the evidence collected so far. Defence officials have also declined to comment on operational specifics while the investigation continues.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged the incident during a press briefing and confirmed that the military is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the strike.
He said the United States military does not deliberately target civilian facilities and emphasised that investigators are working to determine the facts.
Similarly, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that if the strike were confirmed to have been carried out by American forces, the Department of Defense would conduct a thorough investigation.
Both officials stressed that the United States follows strict rules of engagement designed to minimise civilian casualties during military operations.
International Reaction and Calls for Accountability
The reported strike on the girls’ school has sparked international concern and prompted calls for an independent investigation.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has urged authorities to conduct a full inquiry into the incident in order to determine responsibility and ensure accountability.
UN officials noted that attacks on civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, may constitute violations of international humanitarian law if carried out deliberately.
Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the UN human rights office, stated that responsibility for investigating the attack lies with the forces that conducted the operation.
She emphasised that transparency and accountability are essential in cases involving civilian casualties during armed conflict.
Images broadcast by Iranian state media showed mass funeral ceremonies for victims of the attack. The footage depicted rows of small coffins wrapped in Iranian flags and large crowds gathering to mourn the students who lost their lives.
The emotional scenes have intensified criticism of the ongoing military campaign and increased pressure on authorities to clarify the circumstances of the strike.
Context of the Iran War
The strike took place during the first wave of coordinated attacks launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian military targets.
According to sources familiar with the joint military planning, the two countries divided operational responsibilities during the campaign.
Israel reportedly focused on missile launch sites and military installations in western Iran, while US forces targeted similar facilities and naval assets in the southern regions of the country.
Minab, located near the Strait of Hormuz, lies within the southern zone where US forces were reportedly conducting operations.
Because the conflict involves multiple actors and simultaneous strikes across different regions, determining the precise origin of individual attacks can be complex.
Military analysts note that high-intensity operations often involve large numbers of strikes conducted within short timeframes, increasing the possibility of targeting errors.
Potential Legal and Political Implications
If the investigation confirms that US forces carried out the strike on the school, the incident could become one of the most serious cases of civilian casualties in recent Middle East conflicts.
Under international humanitarian law, deliberate attacks on civilian structures such as schools are considered potential war crimes.
However, military actions resulting in civilian casualties can also occur unintentionally due to intelligence failures, technical errors or mistaken identification of targets.
The outcome of the investigation will therefore be closely monitored by governments, human rights organisations and international legal experts.
A confirmed US role could lead to diplomatic tensions, international scrutiny and demands for accountability.
At the same time, military officials emphasise that the investigation must be completed before any definitive conclusions are reached.
For now, the inquiry continues as investigators examine operational data and other evidence in an effort to determine exactly how the tragedy unfolded.
