U.S. Military Accidentally Bombs Girls’ School in Iran Amid Outdated Targeting Data
On the first day of the conflict with Iran, a tragic incident occurred when a girls’ school in Minab, southern Iran, was accidentally bombed by U.S. forces. According to reports, the attack happened after the U.S. military ignored warnings that the targeting data used for the strike was outdated.
Multiple sources told CNN that the Pentagon had not updated its database with current information about potential targets before launching the airstrike. Many of the targets listed were based on data over a decade old, including details about an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) facility located near the Minab girls’ school.
Despite these concerns, U.S. military commanders dismissed the warnings, arguing that they needed to quickly identify targets during the early stages of the war. This decision ultimately led to the accidental bombing of the school.
Satellite images reviewed by CNN showed that in 2013, the Minab girls’ school and the IRGC facility were located on the same site. However, by 2016, the two locations had been separated by a fence. The most recent satellite photo from December last year captured dozens of people moving around the school’s playground.
On February 28, a girls’ elementary school in Minab was struck in an airstrike, resulting in at least 175 deaths, including children and teachers. Fragments of Tomahawk cruise missiles, which are exclusively used by U.S. forces, were found at the site. Foreign media outlets, including The New York Times, suggested that a targeting error might have caused the accident.
In response to the incident, U.S. President Donald Trump initially denied any responsibility, claiming that the attack was “something Iran did.” However, last month, he changed his stance, stating, “Mistakes can happen. War is a terrible thing.” A White House official told CNN, “The investigation is ongoing,” adding, “As previously stated, the United States does not target civilians.”
The U.S. military has not yet released the findings of its investigation into the accidental strike. If it is confirmed that the attack was a result of a U.S. error, it would be one of the worst civilian casualty incidents since the 1991 Gulf War. During that conflict, a U.S. airstrike on a civilian air raid shelter in Baghdad, Iraq, killed over 400 people.
This incident raises serious questions about the accuracy of targeting data and the potential consequences of relying on outdated information in modern warfare. As the investigation continues, the international community will be watching closely to determine whether the U.S. military’s actions were indeed a tragic mistake or a failure in intelligence and operational planning.
Key Points from the Incident
- The U.S. military reportedly ignored warnings about outdated targeting data before launching the airstrike.
- Satellite imagery revealed that the school and IRGC facility were once on the same site but were later separated by a fence.
- Tomahawk missile fragments were found at the scene, suggesting a direct link to U.S. forces.
- President Trump initially denied responsibility but later acknowledged that mistakes can occur in war.
- The incident could be one of the worst civilian casualties since the 1991 Gulf War.
As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the U.S. government will address the allegations and what steps will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
