A new report has claimed that a missile strike on a school in Iran may have been caused by a targeting error during a military operation by the United States.
According to a report by The New York Times, preliminary findings suggest that a Tomahawk missile launched during a strike on February 28 mistakenly hit an elementary school.
The investigation into the incident is still ongoing. However, US officials cited in the report said early evidence points to a mistake involving outdated targeting data.
The strike reportedly occurred in the southern Iranian city of Minab. Iranian authorities claim the attack caused heavy casualties.
The report has intensified international scrutiny over military operations conducted during the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran.
Outdated Intelligence Data Linked to Targeting Mistake
According to the investigation cited by The New York Times, officers from United States Central Command were responsible for setting the coordinates used in the missile strike.
The coordinates were reportedly generated using outdated intelligence data provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency.
The military operation was intended to target an Iranian base located near the school.
Investigators believe the school building was previously part of the military complex. However, it had later been separated from the base and converted into an educational facility.
Reports indicate that the building housing the school had been fenced off from the military base between 2013 and 2016.
Despite this change, the older military mapping data still identified the location as part of the base.
As a result, the missile strike was directed toward incorrect coordinates.
Officials are now investigating why the outdated information was used and who was responsible for failing to verify the data before the strike was approved.
Casualties Reported After Strike in Minab
Iranian authorities say the missile strike caused significant civilian casualties.
Officials from Iran reported that more than 150 people were killed in the attack on the school in Minab.
However, independent verification of the casualties remains difficult.
International journalists and investigators have not been able to access the strike location to confirm the details reported by Iranian media.
Despite this limitation, the incident has drawn strong reactions from Iranian leaders and international observers.
The strike has become one of the most controversial incidents linked to the current military tensions in the region.
Political Reactions and Ongoing Investigation
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian blamed both the United States and Israel for the attack.
However, Israeli officials have denied any involvement in the strike.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump, president of the United States, earlier suggested that Iran itself might have been responsible for the incident.
Later, he said he would accept whatever conclusion emerges from the investigation.
When asked by reporters about the report published by The New York Times, Trump said he was not aware of the details.
US officials have also responded to the accusations. Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, said the United States would never intentionally target a school.
Military investigators are continuing to review the circumstances surrounding the strike.
They are examining how the outdated intelligence data was used during the targeting process and whether operational safeguards failed.
The findings of the investigation could have major implications for military accountability and future operations in the region.
