U.S. Investigating Alleged Strike on Iranian Girls’ School That Killed Dozens, Reuters Reports

The United States military is currently investigating a devastating strike on a girls’ school in southern Iran that reportedly killed a large number of Students. According to information obtained by Reuters from two U.S. officials, early assessments by American military investigators suggest that U.S. forces may have been responsible for the apparent strike, though the investigation has not yet reached a final conclusion.

The attack occurred on Saturday in the city of Minab in southern Iran, coinciding with the first day of coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets. The incident has drawn international attention and raised serious concerns regarding civilian casualties during the escalating conflict in the region.

Despite the preliminary findings, U.S. officials emphasized that the investigation remains incomplete and that new evidence could potentially alter the current assessment. Speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, the officials noted that investigators are still reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident.

At this stage, investigators have not publicly disclosed critical details such as the type of weapon used, the source of the munition, or whether any operational errors may have contributed to the tragedy. Reuters reported that it was also unable to determine what specific evidence led investigators to believe that U.S. forces may have been involved.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed earlier in the week that the Pentagon had launched a formal inquiry into the incident. During a media briefing on Wednesday, Hegseth stated that the U.S. military takes allegations involving civilian casualties extremely seriously.

“We’re investigating that,” Hegseth told reporters when asked about the strike. “Naturally, we never target civilian sites. But we are actively looking into the matter.”

According to Iranian officials, the strike struck a girls’ school during the early phase of the military campaign. Ali Bahreini, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, claimed that approximately 150 students were killed in the attack. However, Reuters reported that it could not independently verify the death toll.

The Pentagon referred Reuters’ questions about the incident to U.S. Central Command, which oversees American military operations in the Middle East. Captain Timothy Hawkins, a spokesperson for the command, declined to provide additional details due to the ongoing investigation.

“Given that the incident is currently under investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time,” Hawkins said.

The White House also avoided commenting directly on the specifics of the investigation. However, press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated in a message to Reuters that the United States does not intentionally target civilians.

“While the Department of War is currently investigating this matter, the Iranian regime targets civilians and children, not the United States of America,” Leavitt said.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also addressed the issue earlier in the week, emphasizing that American forces would never deliberately target a school or any civilian facility.

“If it turns out to have been our strike, the Department of War would be investigating that,” Rubio told reporters, referring questions about the incident back to the military authorities responsible for the inquiry.

Sources familiar with the operational planning between Israel and the United States indicated that both countries had largely separated their military operations within Iran. According to a senior Israeli official and another source with direct knowledge of the strategy, U.S. forces have primarily targeted missile launch facilities and naval installations in southern Iran.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces have reportedly focused their operations on missile infrastructure and strategic targets located in western parts of the country.

The tragic strike on the Minab school has sparked international calls for transparency and accountability. The United Nations Human Rights office has called for a thorough investigation to determine what happened and who may be responsible.

Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the U.N. human rights office, stressed that the responsibility for investigating such incidents lies with the forces involved in the operation.

“The onus is on the forces that carried out the attack to investigate it,” Shamdasani said.

Images and video footage aired by Iranian state media showed large funeral gatherings for the victims. In one widely circulated scene, small coffins wrapped in Iranian flags were carried through large crowds as mourners gathered to pay their respects.

The incident has reignited debate about the risks civilians face during military conflicts, particularly when strikes occur near populated areas or civilian infrastructure.

Under international humanitarian law, intentionally targeting civilian infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and residential buildings can constitute a war crime. Even when military operations are directed at legitimate targets, armed forces are required to take precautions to minimize harm to civilians.

If investigators ultimately determine that the United States was responsible for the strike on the Minab girls’ school, the incident could represent one of the most serious civilian casualty events linked to U.S. military operations in the Middle East in recent decades.

Key Facts About the Minab School Strike Investigation

Global Concern Over Civilian Safety in Military Conflicts

The strike has intensified international scrutiny of military operations in densely populated areas. As the conflict between Iran, Israel, and their allies continues to evolve, humanitarian organizations and global leaders are urging all parties involved to prioritize civilian protection and adhere strictly to international humanitarian law.

The final findings of the U.S. investigation will likely play a crucial role in determining accountability and shaping the international response to one of the most tragic incidents reported since the current wave of hostilities began.