Full Breakdown
US CENTCOM Commander Declines Responsibility for Iran School Attack Amid Ongoing Investigation
5/20/2026, 1:33:37 AM
The Attack and Immediate Aftermath
On 28 February 2024 a missile strike hit a school in Minab, a southern Iranian city, killing 155 people, including 73 boys, 47 girls, 26 teachers, seven parents, a school bus driver and another adult, according to Iranian state media. The school was situated adjacent to an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) cruise-missile base. Iranian officials initially reported more than 175 casualties before revising the figure to 155.
Timeline of Events
- 28 Feb 2024 – Missile strike on Minab school; casualties reported.
- Early March 2024 – The New York Times and CNN reported the strike may have involved a U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile, a weapon Iran does not possess.
- 5 Mar 2024 – Photo of Admiral Brad Cooper released in public records.
- Mid-March 2024 – Admiral Cooper testified before a congressional oversight panel; Rep. Adam Smith questioned him.
- Following weeks – House Democrats filed impeachment proceedings against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, though the effort was largely symbolic given Republican control of the chamber.
Data & Casualties
- 155 total deaths (73 boys, 47 girls, 26 teachers, 7 parents, 1 bus driver, 1 other adult).
- Initial death-toll claim: >175 (later revised).
- AFP was unable to access the site to independently verify details reported by Iranian media.
Official Statements & Responses
Admiral Brad Cooper said the school’s proximity to an active IRGC cruise-missile base makes the investigation “more complex than the average strike,” and pledged to share findings once the probe is complete. Rep. Adam Smith noted that past U.S. mistakes were quickly acknowledged and interpreted Cooper’s answer as a refusal to accept responsibility. Former President Donald Trump earlier suggested Iran might be behind the attack, claiming Iran “has no accuracy whatsoever” with its munitions. U.S. officials repeatedly asserted that the United States does not target civilians.
Criticism & Opposition
House Democrats, led by Rep. Adam Smith, criticized the lack of accountability and initiated impeachment proceedings against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Critics argue that refusing to acknowledge responsibility undermines transparency and accountability in U.S. military operations abroad.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
U.S. media (The New York Times, CNN) attribute the strike to a U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile, while the United States has not confirmed or denied involvement. Iranian officials first claimed a death toll exceeding 175 before revising it to 155. Independent verification of the site remains impossible due to restricted access, leaving the exact cause of the strike unresolved.
Verbatim Quotes
- “the school itself is located on an active IRGC cruise missile base,” — Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander
- “more complex than the average strike.” — Admiral Brad Cooper, during congressional testimony
- “So that's a 'no.' We will not take responsibility for something we very obviously did.” — Adam Smith, House Armed Services Committee ranking member
- “they have no accuracy whatsoever” — Donald Trump, former president
Why It Matters
The attack has prompted congressional scrutiny, including symbolic impeachment filings, and raised questions about the transparency of U.S. military actions in the Middle East. Restricted site access prevents independent verification, leaving uncertainty about the strike’s origin and its implications for civilian protection in conflict zones.
