An ongoing internal investigation carried out by investigators from the United States military now leans toward the culpability of U.S. forces behind the tragic airstrike that hit an all-girls school in Minab in southern Iran on 28 February 2026.
Moreover, while a conclusion has not yet been reached, two U.S. officials briefed on the matter stated that the tentative assessment points toward U.S. involvement.
The strike occurred on February 28 during the first day of coordinated U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran. The Iranian government, via its United Nations Ambassador Ali Bahreini, reported that 150 to 160 students were killed.
Note that the provided numbers from Iran have not been independently verified. But various media outlets have described images of mass funerals in Iran.
The U.S. and Israel divided their target zones during their initial Operation Epic Fury campaign against Iran. Israeli forces focused on missile sites in western Iran, while the U.S. took responsibility for targets in the south, where the school in Minab is located.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed an investigation is underway, but maintained that they never target civilians and areas with a civilian population.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt avoided confirming responsibility, instead pivoting to criticize the Iranian regime. She stated that the government forces of Iran have been targeting both children and mass protesters in Iran in an attempt to repress dissent.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio further suggested that the devastating incident in Minab was not deliberate if the strike was attributed to the U.S. forces.
Note that the deliberate targeting of schools and civilian structures is considered a war crime under international humanitarian law. The U.N. Human Rights Office has requested a transparent investigation and has demanded that the U.S. provide immediate answers.
The deadly airstrike can be described as potentially one of the worst incidents of civilian casualties involving the U.S. government and its military forces in decades.
Photo Credit: Abbas Zakeri / Mehr News Agency / Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab photos from Mehr / 28 February 2026 / Adapted / CC BY 4.0 International