Trump Claims Iran Responsible for School Strike, Pentagon Investigates

President Donald Trump on Saturday accused Iran of being responsible for a strike on a girls’ primary school in southern Iran, an incident that reportedly killed dozens, including schoolgirls aged 7 to 12. The claim was made aboard Air Force One following Trump’s attendance at the dignified transfer of six U.S. Soldiers killed in an Iranian strike in Kuwait on March 1.

Conflicting Reports and Ongoing Investigation

Trump stated, “In my opinion, based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran…We think it was done by Iran, because they’re extremely inaccurate with their munitions, they have no accuracy whatsoever, it was done by Iran.” He offered no evidence to support this assertion.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responded to a reporter’s question regarding the President’s assessment by stating that the Pentagon is “investigating.” He added, “the only side that targets civilians is Iran.”

Iranian state media and health officials have reported that the strike, which occurred on February 28, the first day of the war, resulted in the deaths of more than 170 people. Iranian officials have blamed the U.S. And Israel for the attack.

Israel Denies Involvement, U.S. Investigation Considers Own Role

Two sources indicated that Israel was not operating in the area at the time of the strike. An Israeli source specifically stated that Israel was not behind the strike and that the Israeli Air Force was not operating near the school.

U.S. Investigators, however, are reportedly considering the possibility that the U.S. May have been responsible for the strike, according to a person familiar with the ongoing inquiry.

White House Statement

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly issued a statement saying the investigation is ongoing. “There are no conclusions at this time, and it is both irresponsible and false for anyone to claim otherwise,” Kelly said. “As we have said, unlike the terrorist Iranian regime, the United States does not target civilians.”

Location and Proximity to IRGC Sites

The blast occurred in Minab, a city in the Hormozgan province of southern Iran. Footage from the scene showed black smoke rising from a damaged building adorned with murals depicting children and school-related imagery. The building has been identified as the Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school. The school is located near two sites controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).