U.S. Senator Calls for Accountability in Deadly Iranian School Airstrike
Senator Thom Tillis urges the U.S. to acknowledge responsibility if found culpable for the airstrike on an Iranian girls' school that resulted in significant civilian casualties.
On February 28, 2026, an airstrike targeted the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' elementary school in Minab, Iran, resulting in the deaths of at least 165 individuals, predominantly young students. The school was located adjacent to a compound operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
In response to the incident, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, "The worst thing we can do, if, in fact, it was a horrible outcome from an American strike, is to try to pretend that it didn't happen." He advocated for a thorough investigation and accountability if U.S. forces were responsible.
The U.S. Department of Defense has initiated an investigation into the airstrike. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth commented, "All I can say is that we're investigating that. We, of course, never target civilian targets. But we're taking a look and investigating that."
Preliminary findings suggest that outdated targeting data may have contributed to the incident. An anonymous U.S. official indicated that the strike was likely conducted by U.S. forces.
The international community has expressed concern over the attack. UNESCO described it as a "grave violation of humanitarian law," emphasizing the need to protect educational institutions during conflicts.
The investigation is ongoing, with further details expected as more information becomes available.