US responsible for deadly missile strike on Iran school, preliminary inquiry says

The Guardian - World NewsEN 4 min read 100% complete by Peter BeaumontMarch 11, 2026 at 07:23 PM

AI Summary

medium article 4 min

A preliminary US military investigation indicates that a US Tomahawk missile strike was responsible for the destruction of an Iranian elementary school in Minab on February 28th, resulting in the deaths of at least 175 people, mostly children. The New York Times reported that the strike was due to a targeting mistake using obsolete data from the Defense Intelligence Agency. Despite evidence suggesting US culpability, including video footage and missile fragments, the Trump administration initially evaded responsibility, with President Trump falsely claiming Iran was responsible. The Pentagon stated the incident is under investigation, while US Central Command declined to comment. Satellite imagery shows the school had been separated from a nearby IRGC naval base for at least nine years.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Pentagon 40% New York Times 40% Tehran 40% Defense Intelligence Agency 40% US Central Command ×250% Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) ×260% Minab ×260% Tomahawk missile ×260% Donald Trump ×370% Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school 70% Iran ×580% United States ×890%

Keywords

missile strike 90% us military 80% iran 70% civilian fatalities 70% targeting mistake 70% investigation 60% elementary school 60% trump administration 50% tomahawk missile 50% defense intelligence agency 40%