Full Breakdown
U.S. Airstrikes Hit Minab Girls' School, Killing Over 175
6/18/2026, 3:35:28 AM
Fatal Strikes on Shajarah Tayyebeh Elementary School
On 28 February, U.S. airstrikes hit the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school in Minab, southern Iran, killing more than 175 children and teachers, Iranian officials say. The attack involved two precision bombs, the second delivered minutes after the first.
Background & Context: IRGC Base Proximity and Targeting Data
The school sat next to an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) cruise-missile base and had originally been part of that facility. U.S. targeting packages relied on satellite imagery not updated for seven years, which omitted the school’s conversion from a military building to a classroom.
Data & Statistics
Casualties exceed 175 children and teachers. Two strikes were delivered within minutes; the second is described as a “double tap.” The incident is the deadliest U.S.-caused civilian loss since the 1991 Baghdad air-raid shelter bombing that killed over 400 civilians.
Official Statements & Responses
President Donald Trump told reporters at the G7 summit that the incident is under investigation, that the strike was not intentional, that errors happen in war, and that he will accept the inquiry’s results. He had earlier blamed Iran without evidence. The head of U.S. Central Command called the probe “complex” because the target lay on an active IRGC base and said it is nearing completion. The Pentagon has elevated the investigation but has not released preliminary findings.
Criticism & Opposition
Private U.S. military officials have acknowledged that American forces carried out the strikes and called the episode an intelligence failure, citing outdated imagery and the failure to pass on knowledge that a building had been converted to a school. The “double tap” second strike drew further criticism for exceeding legitimate targets. Analysts note the attack is the deadliest civilian loss for U.S. forces since 1991.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Internal U.S. investigations suggest U.S. forces were likely responsible, but official statements have not confirmed this. President Trump’s initial claim that Iran was responsible conflicts with later admissions of limited knowledge. The probe remains ongoing, and no public conclusion has been released.
Verbatim Quotes
- “That's under investigation,” — President Donald Trump
- “Nobody did that on purpose.” — President Donald Trump
- “Mistakes are made. War is nasty.” — President Donald Trump
What’s Next
The head of U.S. Central Command says the probe is nearing its conclusion. The Pentagon’s elevated investigation is expected to produce a formal report that will determine whether findings are made public and what corrective actions, if any, will follow.
