US missile hit military base near Iran school, video analysis shows

A US Tomahawk missile struck a military base near a primary school in Minab, southern Iran, according to BBC Verify's analysis of a video released by Iranian media. The strike, which occurred recently, reportedly killed 168 people, including around 110 children. Experts identified the missile as a Tomahawk, not possessed by Iran or Israel, and noted evidence of multiple strikes, suggesting a US operation. While the US has not claimed responsibility, a preliminary US assessment suggests it was "likely" responsible but did not intentionally target the school. Iran blames the US and Israel for the attack, while Israel denies involvement. The verified video shows the missile hitting a clinic at the IRGC base, approximately 200 meters from the school, which appears to have been hit prior to the missile strike.

In March 2026, a video surfaced suggesting a US Tomahawk missile struck an Iranian elementary school for girls in Minab. The attack reportedly resulted in 175 fatalities, primarily children. The video's release puts the United States under scrutiny, as it indicates potential US involvement in the incident. Prior to the video's emergence, the US had accused Iran of perpetrating the attack. The incident and subsequent video have raised questions about responsibility and accountability for the deadly event.

A video released by Iranian state media appears to show a U.S. missile strike on a compound in southern Iran on February 28, coinciding with an attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School. The strike resulted in over 160 deaths, primarily children, drawing condemnation from the UN and human rights organizations. The video, titled "The moment when Israeli and American terrorists struck #Minab school," depicts a munition consistent with a Tomahawk cruise missile hitting the area. Iran has blamed the U.S. and Israel for the school attack, while President Trump has accused Iran of responsibility. The investigative group Bellingcat suggests the video evidence contradicts Trump's claim, noting the U.S. is the only known party in the conflict possessing Tomahawk missiles. The U.S. was also bombing a nearby Revolutionary Guard naval base at the time of the school attack.

A video released by Iranian news agency Mehr appears to show a US Tomahawk missile striking a compound in Minab, Iran, on February 28th. The targeted compound was adjacent to the Shajareh Tayyebeh primary school. The strike resulted in the destruction of approximately half of the school and the deaths of over 168 people, mostly children. Munitions experts identified the missile as a Tomahawk, primarily used by the US military. Satellite imagery confirms damage to both the school and buildings within the adjacent Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) naval compound. This evidence contradicts claims made by US President Donald Trump that Iran was responsible for the school bombing.

According to Iran's Foreign Ministry, Shahid Hamedani School, an elementary school in Tehran, was struck in US-Israeli attacks on March 6, 2026. Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei shared a video on X purportedly showing the school before and after the attack. This is reportedly the fourth school hit in Iran since the start of the US and Israeli attacks, including the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in Minab, which resulted in 165 deaths. Some Israeli-linked sources claimed the Minab school was part of an IRGC base, but investigations suggest it was a separate civilian site. The US military is investigating the Minab incident, with officials suggesting US forces were likely responsible.

US military investigators are examining a strike on an Iranian girls' school in Minab on Saturday that resulted in numerous student deaths, potentially as high as 150 according to Iran's UN ambassador. While the investigation is ongoing, US officials believe it is likely that US forces were responsible for the attack, which occurred during joint US and Israeli attacks on Iran. The Pentagon and White House have acknowledged the investigation, with officials emphasizing that the US does not intentionally target civilians. The UN human rights office has called for a thorough investigation into the incident, placing the responsibility on the forces that carried out the attack. The US and Israel had previously divided their attacks geographically, with the US focusing on targets in southern Iran.

Following an attack on a girls' primary school in Minab, southern Iran, that killed 165 pupils, calls are growing for an independent investigation. The attack occurred on the first day of the US and Israel's war against Iran. UN experts have condemned the bombing as a grave assault on children and demanded urgent accountability. Rights advocates suggest the attack, which targeted girls aged 7-12 during class hours, may constitute a war crime. Iran's UN envoy stated the school was deliberately destroyed in US-Israeli attacks, contributing to a civilian death toll of at least 1,332 in the ongoing conflict.

US military investigators are examining a strike on a girls' school in Minab, southern Iran, on Saturday, March 6, 2026, during US and Israeli attacks on the country. Two US officials told Reuters that the US is likely responsible for the strike, which killed scores of children. The investigation is ongoing, and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged the probe on Wednesday. However, the officials cautioned that the investigation is not complete, and new evidence could emerge that absolves the US of responsibility. Reuters was unable to determine specific details about the investigation, including the evidence, type of munition, or reason for the potential US strike.

An analysis suggests that a school in Minab, southern Iran, was struck on February 28 during what appears to have been a U.S. attack on a nearby Iranian naval base. Dozens of people, including children, were killed in the school strike. Iranian officials reported that U.S. forces were operating at the adjacent naval base. The analysis indicates the school's destruction was potentially linked to military action targeting the naval facility. The incident raises questions about the unintended consequences of military operations in proximity to civilian areas.

On March 5, 2026, Iranian media reported that missiles fired by the United States and Israel struck two schools in Parand, a town southwest of Tehran. The attack, which damaged classrooms and nearby residential units, occurred six days after a prior strike on a girls' school in Minab that killed 165 people. Iranian authorities attributed the Minab attack to the US and Israel, who launched a war on Iran, with the US claiming unawareness of hitting a school and Israeli sources alleging the site's proximity to a military base. An Al Jazeera investigation disputed these claims, showing the school was separate from the adjacent military site. The attacks have ignited exchanges of fire across the Middle East.

In March 2026, Iran's Assembly of Experts is responsible for selecting the nation's next Supreme Leader. The Assembly of Experts is a body within the Iranian government. This follows the precedent set in 1989, when the Assembly elected Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to the position. The selection process is significant because the Supreme Leader holds ultimate authority in Iran's political system. The article highlights the Assembly's crucial role in determining the future leadership of Iran.

Following a deadly strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' school in Minab, Iran, on the first day of US and Israeli attacks on Iran, the US is "investigating" the incident, according to US defense secretary Pete Hegseth. The attack, which occurred on Saturday, reportedly killed at least 165 students and injured 96 others. Iranian officials and the UN have condemned the attack, with the UN human rights office calling for an investigation. The UN committee on the rights of the child expressed alarm over strikes on civilian infrastructure, emphasizing the need to protect children from war. The strike occurred amidst escalating conflict in the Middle East following attacks by the US and Israel on Iran, resulting in retaliatory attacks from Iran.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the US is increasing its military presence in the Middle East as the US-Israeli war against Iran intensifies. Speaking at a Pentagon press conference on Wednesday, Hegseth stated the campaign was "just getting started" and that more US bombers and fighters were arriving. He emphasized the use of heavy bombs and vowed widespread destruction. The conflict, ongoing for five days, has reportedly resulted in over 1,000 deaths in Iran since Saturday. The US-Israeli offensive has faced criticism from legal experts for violating international law, and humanitarian groups have expressed concerns about the impact on civilians. Reports from Tehran indicate that civilians are bearing the brunt of the attacks, with many residents fleeing the city.

Following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz declared that whoever is chosen as Iran's next Supreme Leader will be considered a target for elimination. Katz made the statement on X, asserting that any leader continuing a plan to destroy Israel and threaten the US would be targeted. This threat follows an Israeli strike on a building associated with Iran's Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for selecting the new Supreme Leader. The statement escalates tensions between the two countries amidst ongoing conflict. Iranians are preparing for a farewell ceremony for Khamenei.

In March 2026, US President Donald Trump did not rule out deploying ground troops to Iran amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes. Military experts, however, believe a full-scale invasion is unlikely. Instead, they anticipate targeted special operations, such as sabotage or intelligence gathering missions, followed by rapid extraction. Analysts cite Iran's complex geopolitical environment, rugged terrain, and dense population as factors making a traditional invasion impractical. While Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth confirmed no US troops are currently in Iran, he also left the option for deployment open, suggesting a limited, targeted approach rather than a large-scale occupation.

Following joint US-Israeli strikes in Iran, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated the US aims to destroy Iran's navy, ballistic missile production, and nuclear weapon capabilities. Hegseth indicated the US does not plan to pursue a democratic transition in Iran and avoided providing a timeline for the operation, while emphasizing the US would not get "bogged down." President Trump stated he wouldn't rule out sending ground troops "if they were necessary." General Dan Caine, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the US has established air superiority over Iran, but expects additional losses and that the operation will not be quick. These remarks are the first from US officials since the strikes began, which killed Iran's Supreme Leader.

In a press briefing at the Pentagon on March 2, 2026, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed the widening conflict in Iran. Hegseth asserted that the conflict is "not endless" and declared, "We fight to win." When questioned about the timeframe for the conflict, Hegseth stated that President Trump has the authority to determine its duration, suggesting a potential range of weeks. The briefing also included Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, who participated in the discussion and answered questions. The purpose of the briefing was to provide an update on the ongoing situation in Iran and address concerns about the duration of the conflict.

Pete Hegseth stated at a Pentagon press conference that the U.S., under President Trump, is "finishing" a long-standing war with Iran, citing past Iranian actions against America. This announcement comes as a fourth U.S. service member has been confirmed killed. The Pentagon briefed the media on Trump's Iran strikes amid demands from Democrats for a Congressional vote to limit the president's war powers. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that only 25% of Americans support military action in Iran, with over half believing Trump's use of force is excessive. The poll also showed that nearly half of respondents would be less supportive of the campaign if gas prices increased. Simultaneously, Israel announced attacks on Tehran and Beirut, issuing evacuation warnings in Beirut.

In a news report published on March 2, 2026, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that the United States is "finishing" a war with Iran, despite not initiating it. Hegseth attributed the conflict to previous attacks by Iran on Americans in the region. The statement implies a continued or escalated military approach under President Donald Trump's administration. The comments suggest the US views its actions as a response to Iranian aggression, rather than an act of instigation. The remarks were reported by NewsFeed.

Following the reported death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an Israeli airstrike, the White House confirmed that Iran has requested talks with the U.S. Attention is now focused on who will succeed Khamenei, the second Supreme Leader since the Islamic Republic's establishment in 1979. Potential successors include hard-line figures like Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, who has a history of anti-Western rhetoric and was sanctioned by the U.S. for his role in suppressing protests. Experts suggest Larijani may support a cleric candidate, potentially his brother Mohammad-Javad Larijani, who also holds extremist views. The selection of Khamenei's successor is a critical moment for Iran and its relationship with the international community.

In a recent military operation, President Trump authorized targeted strikes against Iranian leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking a significant shift in his approach to Iran. This action contrasts with his stance eight months prior when he rejected an Israeli plan to kill Khamenei due to concerns about regional destabilization. The recent operation, conducted in collaboration with Israel, resulted in the deaths of Khamenei, the defense minister, and the commander of the Revolutionary Guard, as confirmed by Iranian state TV. Trump announced Khamenei's death and framed the operation as an opportunity for the Iranian people to reclaim their country. This represents a notable escalation in Trump's willingness to use military force against Iran compared to his earlier reluctance.

Following strikes against Iran and rumors of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death, Iranian expatriates in London and Manchester celebrated on Saturday. The celebrations, particularly concentrated in London's "Little Tehran," involved waving pre-revolutionary Iranian flags. However, the mood shifted to a more muted tone as news emerged of hundreds of Iranian deaths, including children, resulting from the strikes. While some members of the Iranian diaspora expressed happiness and support for the events, others acknowledged the uncertain future of Iran and the potential for devastating turmoil. Academics noted the expected yet devastating nature of the strikes, highlighting concerns about the consequences for the country.

According to US President Donald Trump, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, has died following US and Israeli airstrikes. Iran has not confirmed the death of the 86-year-old, who has held the powerful position for three decades since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. As Supreme Leader, Khamenei was head of state, commander-in-chief, and held significant influence over public policy and elections. Born in 1939, Khamenei rose to prominence as a critic of the Shah, facing imprisonment and exile before becoming a key figure in the post-revolution leadership. His weekly sermons broadcast nationwide solidified his position. His death, if confirmed, could lead to an uncertain future for Iran and the region.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, died at age 86 following a US-Israeli strike on his compound in Tehran. The strike, confirmed by satellite imagery showing heavy damage, occurred on Saturday and was announced by US President Donald Trump. Khamenei's daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter were also reportedly killed in the attack. Iran has declared 40 days of mourning. Khamenei, who ruled for 36 years after succeeding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989, was a polarizing figure, both revered and feared for his role in maintaining the Islamic Republic and building Iran into a powerful anti-US force. Reports indicate that some Iranians grieved while others celebrated his death.

On March 1, 2026, an Iranian man publicly accused Israel of war crimes while holding the remains of a girl reportedly killed in an attack on an elementary school in Minab, located in southern Iran. The incident, captured in a NewsFeedVideo, highlights the aftermath of an attack that allegedly resulted in the deaths of at least 108 children. The man's accusation directly links Israel to the attack on the school. The video and the man's statement serve as a direct response to the tragic event and place blame for the deaths of the children. The event raises questions about the circumstances surrounding the attack and the potential involvement of external actors.

US President Donald Trump confirmed that the United States has initiated "major combat operations" in Iran. This announcement follows a statement from Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who said Israel launched a "pre-emptive" attack on the country. According to the BBC, military action against Iran had been anticipated for several weeks. The timing and specific reasons for the escalation were not immediately clear, but the developments signal a significant shift in the region. The combined actions by the US and Israel mark a notable escalation of tensions with Iran.

On February 28, 2026, Israel and the United States launched a joint military attack on Iran, with explosions reported in Tehran near University Street, the Jomhouri area, and Seyyed Khandan. According to a US official, the operation aimed to pressure Iran into a nuclear deal, amidst a large US military presence in the region. Israel's Defence Minister stated the attack was a preemptive measure to eliminate threats to Israel. In response, sirens sounded in Israel, prompting the military to issue alerts and close airspace. The US Embassy in Qatar also implemented shelter-in-place protocols for its personnel and advised citizens to do the same. The Associated Press reported that strikes occurred near the offices of Iran's Supreme Leader.

On Saturday, February 28, 2026, Israel launched an attack on Iran's capital, Tehran, with smoke seen rising from the city's center. According to unnamed sources, the United States is participating in the strikes, though the extent of their involvement is unclear. The initial strike occurred near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose whereabouts are currently unknown. The attack takes place amidst heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran over its nuclear program, with the U.S. having amassed military assets in the region. The White House has not yet commented on the situation. Roads to Khamenei's compound have been closed as additional explosions were heard throughout Tehran.

Following reported Israeli strikes targeting Iranian leadership infrastructure in Tehran, the fate of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is currently unknown. The strikes heavily damaged Khamenei's fortified compound, including his residence and the House of Leadership, with some areas reduced to rubble. While Israeli officials are assessing the results and haven't confirmed Khamenei's death, they haven't ruled it out. Iranian officials insist Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are safe, despite what they call an assassination attempt. Reports indicate a high-level meeting may have been underway at the time of the strike. Khamenei, who operates with tight security and a network of loyalists, has survived previous assassination attempts and unrest.