U.S. Probe Nears End in Iran School Strike That Killed More Than 120 Children
SCN NEWS
The Pentagon's investigation into the deadly strike on Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab is nearing completion, months after the attack killed more than 120 children and dozens of teachers and parents on the first day of the Iran war. U.S. officials continue to say civilians are never intentionally targeted, but Reuters previously reported that preliminary findings indicated U.S. forces were likely responsible, although no final public conclusion has been released.
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, told lawmakers the investigation has been unusually complex because the school was located next to an active IRGC cruise missile base. He said transparency is important and the inquiry is approaching its conclusion, while declining to provide a timeline.
The Minab strike has become one of the most controversial incidents of the conflict, raising questions about intelligence failures, target verification and civilian protection under international humanitarian law. Human rights groups and U.S. lawmakers have called for the Pentagon to publicly release its findings once the investigation is complete.