New Evidence Suggests U.S. Behind Airstrike on Iranian Girls’ School That Killed 170+ Children
A devastating strike on a girls’ school in the Iranian city of Minab has sparked international outrage after reports emerged that more than 170 children were killed when missiles struck the area during ongoing U.S.–Iran hostilities. Investigations by journalists and analysts suggest the strike may have involved a Tomahawk cruise missile, which is typically launched by U.S. naval forces operating in the region. Researcher Trevor Ball notes Israel does not possess Tomahawk missiles.
Witness accounts and video analysis circulating online claim the attack resembled a “double-tap” strike, a tactic in which a second missile hits the same location shortly after the first, potentially endangering rescuers and survivors. If confirmed, human rights experts say such a tactic against a civilian site could constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law and may amount to a war crime.
The attack has drawn fierce criticism from legal scholars and humanitarian organisations, who argue that striking a location known to contain children would breach the principles of distinction and proportionality under the laws of war. At the political level, scrutiny has also turned toward the U.S. chain of command. As Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth oversees military operations carried out by U.S. forces, meaning any confirmed American strike would ultimately fall under the Pentagon's authority. However, officials in Washington have said investigations are still ongoing, and no final determination of responsibility has yet been formally announced. Meanwhile, calls are growing internationally for an independent investigation into the incident and accountability for anyone found responsible.
A devastating strike on a girls’ school in the Iranian city of Minab has sparked international outrage after reports emerged that more than 170 children were killed when missiles struck the area during ongoing U.S.–Iran hostilities. Investigations by journalists and analysts suggest the strike may have involved a Tomahawk cruise missile, which is typically launched by U.S. naval forces operating in the region. Researcher Trevor Ball notes Israel does not possess Tomahawk missiles.
Witness accounts and video analysis circulating online claim the attack resembled a “double-tap” strike, a tactic in which a second missile hits the same location shortly after the first, potentially endangering rescuers and survivors. If confirmed, human rights experts say such a tactic against a civilian site could constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law and may amount to a war crime.
The attack has drawn fierce criticism from legal scholars and humanitarian organisations, who argue that striking a location known to contain children would breach the principles of distinction and proportionality under the laws of war. At the political level, scrutiny has also turned toward the U.S. chain of command. As Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth oversees military operations carried out by U.S. forces, meaning any confirmed American strike would ultimately fall under the Pentagon's authority. However, officials in Washington have said investigations are still ongoing, and no final determination of responsibility has yet been formally announced. Meanwhile, calls are growing internationally for an independent investigation into the incident and accountability for anyone found responsible.