Initial military inquiry finds US forces responsible for strike on Iran school; cites outdated intelligence

An ongoing US military investigation has determined that the United States was responsible for a deadly Tomahawk missile strike on an Iranian elementary school, according to the US officials and others familiar with the preliminary findings. The strike, which occurred on February 28, hit the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school building in the town of Minab. Investigators say the attack was the result of a targeting error by the US military. At the time, the military was conducting strikes on an adjacent Iranian base that had previously included the school building as part of its complex.

According to officials briefed on the investigation, officers at US Central Command conducted the strike coordinates using outdated targeting data supplied by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). The preliminary findings suggest that the building was mistakenly labeled as a military target based on old intelligence. Officials emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing and that several critical questions remain unanswered, including why the outdated data was not verified before the strike.

The attack on a school filled with children is expected to be remembered as one of the most devastating military errors in recent decades. Iranian authorities have reported that at least 175 people were killed, most of them children. Although the conclusion that the United States carried out the strike was largely anticipated, because the US is the only country involved in the conflict that uses Tomahawk missiles, the incident has already cast a shadow over the broader US military operation in Iran.

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President Donald Trump’s attempts to deflect blame for the strike have further complicated the inquiry. Officials familiar with the findings have expressed concern about his public statements suggesting that Iran might have been responsible. “As The New York Times acknowledges in its own reporting, the investigation is still ongoing,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. Sources briefed on the investigation say many questions remain about how the outdated information was used and who failed to verify the targeting data.

However, some current and former officials say the error is not entirely surprising. The school in Minab is located on the same block as facilities used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Navy, which was a primary target of the US military strikes. The building that housed the school was originally part of the military base, though it is unclear exactly when it was converted into a school. A visual investigation conducted by The New York Times found that the building had been separated from the military base between 2013 and 2016.

Satellite imagery reviewed by the newspaper showed that watchtowers previously located near the building had been removed. Three public entrances had been added, the grounds had been cleared, and recreational areas—including a sports field painted on asphalt- had been created. The walls were also repainted in bright colors such as blue and pink, consistent with a school environment. Despite these changes, the targeting data provided by the DIA still classified the building as a military facility when it was passed to US Central Command, according to people familiar with the investigation. Investigators have not yet determined how the outdated information was transmitted or whether the DIA had more recent intelligence available.

Military targeting operations are highly complex and involve several agencies. Numerous officers are responsible for verifying target data. While the DIA provides intelligence assessments, Central Command is responsible for confirming the accuracy of that information before authorizing strikes. In fast-moving wartime situations, however, verification procedures may sometimes be rushed or overlooked. Investigators are also reviewing the role of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), which analyzes satellite imagery and supports military targeting operations.

Both the DIA and NGA have numerous analysts assigned to combatant commands, where they work alongside operational planners and intelligence officers to develop potential targets. When targeting data from the DIA is older, intelligence officers are expected to update and verify it using imagery and analysis provided by the NGA. Historically, the Defense Intelligence Agency has focused primarily on Iran’s missile capabilities and other strategic priorities such as China and North Korea. Iran’s naval forces have not traditionally been a major intelligence priority.

Investigators are also examining whether artificial intelligence tools or automated intelligence systems played any role in the targeting mistake. One system under scrutiny is the Maven Smart System used by the NGA. While large language models such as Claude—developed by Anthropic—do not directly generate military targets, they can assist in identifying potential points of interest for analysts. However, officials believe that new technology was unlikely to be the cause of the error. Instead, they suspect the strike resulted from a more traditional wartime mistake: human error.

The preliminary findings of the internal investigation align with growing public evidence suggesting US responsibility.

Satellite imagery, social media posts, and verified videos analyzed by The New York Times indicate that the school was severely damaged by a precision strike around the same time that nearby Iranian naval facilities were targeted. The newspaper’s analysis also showed that the base was struck again approximately two hours after the initial attack.

A video released by Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency and verified by The New York Times shows a Tomahawk cruise missile striking the naval base next to the school on February 28.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other administration officials have declined to comment in detail on the incident, stating only that the matter remains under investigation. Nevertheless, President Trump has at times suggested that Iran may have been responsible. “In my opinion, based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran,” Mr. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday, while Defense Secretary Hegseth stood beside him. He added that Iranian munitions are often inaccurate.

When asked on Monday why he was the only official in his administration attributing the strike to Iran, Trump responded: “Because I just don’t know enough about it.” He also incorrectly suggested that Iran might possess Tomahawk missiles, though he said he would ultimately accept the results of the investigation. While many presidents might avoid commenting on such incidents while investigations are ongoing, Mr. Trump has repeatedly spoken publicly about the strike and has not fully withdrawn his earlier claims, even as evidence pointing to U.S. responsibility has grown. On Tuesday, Press Secretary Leavitt reiterated that the president would accept the final findings of the investigation. Although the inquiry is not yet complete, the reported use of outdated intelligence has drawn comparisons to a major mistake during the Kosovo War.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.