U.S. Military Blamed for Iranian Elementary School Bombing That Killed 175, Possibly Due to Mistaken Identity of Former Military Base

Preliminary U.S. Military Investigation Underway Regarding the Incident

School Building Previously Used as Part of a Military Base

A preliminary investigation suggests that the bombing of an Iranian girls' elementary school, which resulted in at least 175 deaths, may have been caused by a targeting error by the U.S. military.

According to Yonhap News on March 12, citing the New York Times (NYT) and referencing U.S. officials and investigators, the ongoing military preliminary investigation has raised the possibility of U.S. responsibility for the Iranian elementary school airstrike that occurred on the 28th of last month.

A preliminary investigation has revealed that the bombing of an Iranian girls' elementary school, which resulted in at least 175 deaths, may have been caused by a targeting error by the US military. Photo by AP Yonhap News

This preliminary investigation found that, at the time, the U.S. military made a targeting error while designating an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval base near the school as the strike objective. The school damaged by the U.S. airstrike is Shajara Tayyiba Girls' Elementary School, located in Minab, Hormozgan Province, southern Iran.

The building was previously used as part of a military base

The school damaged by the US airstrike is Shajara Tayyiba Girls' Elementary School located in Minab, Hormozgan Province, southern Iran. Photo by AP Yonhap News

The most likely reason why this elementary school was bombed is that the building had previously been used as part of a military base. The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) reportedly set the target code based on this historical information and relayed it to U.S. Central Command. According to satellite image analysis by the NYT, the school buildings have been separated from military facilities since between 2013 and 2016.

It is reported that U.S. Central Command set the attack coordinates based on the data provided by the DIA. Officials emphasized that the current investigation is still in its preliminary stage, and they are conducting additional inquiries into whether outdated information was used and if verification procedures functioned properly. They also stated that it is not yet fully clear whether the DIA had up-to-date information, or how outdated information was transmitted to Central Command.

At least 175 killed while classes were in session during the airstrike

The airstrike occurred on the morning of the 28th of last month, the first day the United States and Israel attacked Iran. At that time, classes were in session at the school, and the Iranian government announced that at least 175 students and teachers were killed. Iranian authorities later released photos of missile fragments found at the scene. U.S. media and military experts have analyzed that the debris appears to be parts from Tomahawk missiles used by the U.S. military.

The airstrike occurred on the morning of the 28th of last month, the first day the United States and Israel attacked Iran. Classes were in session at the time, and the Iranian government announced that at least 175 students and teachers were killed. Photo by AP Yonhap News Agency

The NYT explained that the process of setting military targets involves a complex procedure with multiple agencies involved. Generally, target data provided by intelligence agencies is updated and verified using imagery and materials from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGIA). However, it was noted that in urgent situations, such as the early stages of war, these verification processes may not be fully carried out. It was also reported that President Donald Trump prioritized targeting the Iranian navy and blocking regional interference with international trade during this military operation.

Likely to be recorded as one of the most catastrophic military operation mistakes

Investigators also considered the possibility of errors in the artificial intelligence (AI)-based intelligence collection system but currently believe that human error is a more likely cause. The NYT reported that this incident, in which a school full of children was attacked, could be recorded as one of the most catastrophic U.S. military operation mistakes in recent decades. The NYT also cited a similar case: during NATO's airstrikes on Yugoslavia in 1999, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) provided incorrect information that led to the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, resulting in the deaths of three Chinese nationals.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.