Trump says no one deliberately targeted Iran girls' school, probe continues

President Donald Trump asserted on Wednesday that the bombing of a girls’ school in Iran, which resulted in the deaths of over 168 children, was not a deliberate act, stating that “nobody did that on purpose.” Speaking at a press conference during the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Trump emphasized that an ongoing investigation into the incident is still underway. His remarks came as part of a broader discussion on the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran following a series of military strikes in early February.

The attack on the Minab girls’ school occurred on February 28, marking the first day of U.S. military operations against Iranian targets. According to Iranian officials, the strike killed approximately 175 children and teachers, with the majority being female students. This tragic event sparked widespread condemnation both within Iran and internationally, with many questioning the accuracy of the U.S. military’s targeting procedures. Initial reports suggested that the school was situated near an active Iranian cruise missile site, complicating efforts to determine whether the strike was accidental or intentional.

Admiral Brad Cooper, who heads U.S. Central Command, previously described the investigation as “complex” due to the school’s proximity to military infrastructure. Despite this, he noted that the probe was nearing completion. However, the Pentagon has not yet released the full findings of its inquiry. An earlier internal military assessment indicated that U.S. forces were likely responsible for the destruction of the school, prompting a broader review of the incident. This internal report, however, has not been officially acknowledged by the Pentagon, leaving room for further scrutiny and debate.

The U.S. government has consistently maintained that the circumstances surrounding the blast remain under investigation, with particular focus on the school’s location relative to military installations. Trump, who initially claimed without evidence that Iran was responsible for the attack, later admitted that he lacked sufficient information to draw conclusions. Instead, he reiterated his belief that the attack was unintentional, aligning himself with the ongoing inquiry rather than taking a definitive stance.

The attack also raised concerns about the reliability of intelligence used in the planning of the strike. Reports suggest that U.S. officials responsible for developing targeting data may have relied on outdated information, potentially leading to misidentification of the school’s location. This issue highlights broader challenges in military operations where accurate intelligence is critical to avoiding civilian casualties. The school, according to archived records, was located adjacent to a compound associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a powerful military organization under the authority of Iran’s supreme leader.

International reactions to the incident have been largely critical, with many countries expressing concern over the potential violation of international humanitarian law. The high number of civilian casualties, particularly among children, has drawn comparisons to past incidents involving U.S. military actions in conflict zones. As the investigation continues, the outcome could have significant implications for U.S.-Iran relations and the broader geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. With the Pentagon still withholding its final findings, the situation remains uncertain, and the public awaits clarity on how such a devastating mistake might be addressed moving forward.