Trump Blames Iran for School Strike Amid Investigation | BBC News
Minab, Iran – Accusations and counter-accusations are swirling following a strike on a girls’ school in the southern Iranian city of Minab last Saturday, resulting in a reported, though unverified, death toll exceeding 160 people. The incident occurred amidst heightened tensions following a series of US and Israeli strikes targeting Iranian military sites and leadership.
Speaking aboard Air Force One on Saturday night, US President Donald Trump asserted that, in his opinion, Iran was responsible for the attack. “No, in my opinion, based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran,” he told reporters. He further characterized Iranian munitions as “very inaccurate,” suggesting a case of self-inflicted damage. , the President reiterated this claim, stating, “We think it was done by Iran.”
The assertion directly contradicts claims from Iranian officials, who have blamed the United States and Israel for the attack. Israel, for its part, stated it was “not aware” of any Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operations in the area but indicated it was investigating the incident.
The strike targeted a school located near an Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) base. Secretary of Defense Pete Hesgeth, when questioned about the President’s claim, stated that the department was investigating, but emphasized, “the only side that targets civilians is Iran.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously stated that the United States would not deliberately target a school, adding that US forces had “no incentive to target civilian infrastructure.”
Analysis of satellite imagery conducted by BBC Verify reveals multiple strikes and burn marks, indicating the school was hit on more than one occasion. However, the BBC’s analysis concludes that without further examination of munition remnants, definitively identifying the responsible party remains impossible.
The incident unfolds against a backdrop of escalating regional instability. The strikes on Iranian military sites and leadership represent a significant escalation in the long-running shadow war between Israel and Iran, and the direct involvement of the United States adds a new layer of complexity. The timing, coinciding with ongoing – and reportedly faltering – nuclear negotiations, raises concerns about the potential for wider conflict.
The reported high casualty figure, if verified, would represent a substantial loss of life and further inflame tensions. Independent verification of the death toll remains a challenge, as access to the affected area is limited and information is tightly controlled by Iranian authorities. BBC News has stated it has been unable to independently verify the reported number of fatalities.
The President’s comments come after he expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of indirect nuclear negotiations with Iran earlier in the week. On , Trump told reporters before departing for Texas, “I’m not happy with the way they’re going.” This statement preceded the order for “Operation Epic Fury,” the operation to strike Iran, which was given while he was aboard Air Force One, according to General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The operation, approved by President Trump, set in motion a coordinated military response. The timing of the strike on the school, and the subsequent accusations, raises questions about the scope and intended targets of “Operation Epic Fury,” and whether civilian casualties were anticipated or unavoidable.
On , President Trump attended a ceremony at Dover Air Force Base marking the return of the remains of six US Army Reserve soldiers killed when an Iranian drone struck a US facility in Kuwait. The somber event underscored the human cost of the escalating conflict and the direct impact on American service members. The President described the fallen soldiers as “great heroes in our country.”
The incident in Minab, and the conflicting narratives surrounding it, highlight the dangers of operating in a highly volatile region where misinformation and propaganda are prevalent. The lack of independent access and the sensitivity of the situation make it difficult to ascertain the truth, and the potential for miscalculation and escalation remains high. The international community is watching closely, seeking to understand the full extent of the damage and to prevent further deterioration of the security situation.