US Investigating Iran Girls' School Strike; Officials Deny Targeting Civilians
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed an investigation into a deadly strike on a girls' school in Iran, stating that the US does not target civilian locations. The incident occurred during the initial day of US and Israeli attacks on Iran, with Iranian authorities reporting over 160 fatalities. International bodies, including the UN Human Rights Office, have called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the attack.
Key Highlights
- US investigating strike on Iranian girls' school.
- Defense Secretary Hegseth denies targeting civilian sites.
- Iranian officials report over 160 casualties.
- UN calls for impartial investigation into the incident.
- The strike occurred on the first day of US-Israeli attacks.
- Al Jazeera investigation questions deliberate targeting.
United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated that the U.S. is investigating a strike on a girls' school in Minab, Iran, which Iranian authorities claim resulted in over 160 deaths. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth emphasized that the U.S. "never target civilian targets" and is "taking a look and investigating that" incident. The strike reportedly occurred on February 28, 2026, the first day of coordinated attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran. Iranian state media has reported that the attack killed at least 165 students and injured 95 others, with many of the victims being young girls. The Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' school in Minab was struck, leading to the collapse of the building. While Iranian officials have blamed the U.S. and Israel for the attack, both nations have sought to distance themselves from it. Spokespeople for the U.S. Department of Defense and the Israeli military stated they were unaware a school had been hit. Some Israeli-linked social media accounts suggested the site was part of an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps base, but an Al Jazeera investigation using satellite imagery and other evidence indicated the school had been separate from any military site for over a decade. This investigation also raised questions about the accuracy of intelligence used for the bombing and whether the strike was deliberate. International bodies have reacted with concern and called for accountability. The United Nations Human Rights Office urged "the forces behind a deadly attack on a girls' school in Iran" to conduct an investigation and provide information. UN human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani stated that the High Commissioner called for a "prompt, impartial and thorough investigation into the circumstances of the attack" and that "the onus is on the forces that carried out the attack to investigate it." UNESCO and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai have also condemned the strike, with the UN committee on the rights of the child expressing alarm over reports of strikes on civilian infrastructure and emphasizing the need to protect children from war. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that American forces "would not deliberately target a school" and that the Department of War would investigate "if that was our strike." The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called on Congress to conduct a transparent and independent investigation, suggesting impeachment for Secretary Hegseth if the U.S. was responsible. The broader conflict between the U.S. and Israel against Iran has escalated, with reports of significant casualties on both sides and ongoing retaliatory attacks in the region. U.S. officials, including Hegseth, have characterized the military operations as decisive and aggressive, aiming to eliminate Iran's missile and nuclear capabilities. The war has also seen a U.S. submarine sink an Iranian warship, and Iran has launched retaliatory missiles and drone attacks. The situation remains highly volatile, with international calls for de-escalation and accountability for any potential war crimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the girls' school in Iran?
Iranian authorities report that a deadly airstrike hit the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' school in Minab, Iran, on February 28, 2026, resulting in over 160 fatalities, mostly young students.
What is the US's stance on the school strike?
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated that the United States is investigating the incident and affirmed that US forces do not deliberately target civilian locations.
Who is being blamed for the strike?
Iranian authorities have blamed the United States and Israel for the attack. However, both the US and Israel have stated they are investigating and have denied deliberately targeting schools.
What is the broader context of this incident?
The school strike occurred during the initial phase of a wider military conflict initiated by US and Israeli attacks on Iran. The conflict has seen retaliatory actions from Iran and has led to significant regional tension.
What are international organizations saying about the incident?
The UN Human Rights Office has called for a prompt, impartial, and thorough investigation into the attack, urging those responsible to investigate and share findings. Other international bodies and activists have also condemned the strike.