President Trump has attributed the tragic attack on a girls’ elementary school to Iran, countering allegations that the United States was behind the incident. This development follows reports suggesting American involvement.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he headed to Florida for the Shield of Americas summit, Trump stated, “We believe Iran is responsible due to their lack of precision in targeting.” He continued to emphasize that Iran’s munitions are notoriously inaccurate, reaffirming, “It was done by Iran.”
Accompanying Trump on the flight, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth supported the President’s assertion, mentioning, “Our investigations are ongoing. However, it’s clear that Iran is the only party known for targeting civilians.”
The backdrop to these statements is the February 28 joint military operation by the US and Israel against Iran. On that day, Shajarah Tayyebeh Girls’ School in southern Iran was hit, with Iranian authorities reporting a death toll exceeding 180 people.
“But the only side that targets civilians is Iran.”
During the first day of the joint US-Israeli strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, Shajarah Tayyebeh Girls’ School in southern Iran was struck, with Iranian officials claiming the death toll was over 180 people.
Unverified claims from Iranian state media say that 168 children and 14 teachers were killed in the strike.
The school was attached to a military compound tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and previously served as an IRGC headquarters facility, the Wall Street Journal reported. Satellite imagery from 2013 showed the school and the IRGC facility were once part of the same base, CNN reported.
Imagery from last December indicates it had a school’s courtyard and showed people paying there.
Multiple reports, including from the Wall Street Journal, said based on satellite imagery and other evidence, the US is likely responsible for that attack.
Imagery and data out of Iran are limited due to the theocratic regime’s internet blackout, which makes it difficult for independent groups to assess the strike.
Thus far, neither side has taken responsibility for what appears to be the deadliest strikes that hit civilians since the war with Iran broke out.
The school is located in Minab, which is not far from the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint, where about a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil flows through annually.
Iran has blamed both the US and Israel for the deadly strikes. Israeli officials were not aware of the country carrying out strikes in the area, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Earlier this week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Department of War was investigating.
“I would just tell you strongly, the United States of America does not target civilians, unlike the rogue Iranian regime, that … uses propaganda quite effectively,” Leavitt said.
“And unfortunately, many people in this room have fallen for that propaganda.”
