US probe finds Tomahawk strike on Iranian school was a ‘targeting mistake’ by American forces

A preliminary US military investigation has concluded that a Tomahawk missile strike on an Iranian elementary school in February, which killed scores of children, was carried out by American forces, according to a New York Times report.

The investigation, citing unnamed US officials and sources familiar with the initial findings, determined that the February 28 strike on Shajarah Tayyebeh Elementary School was the result of a targeting mistake by US military planners.

The preliminary findings appear to support Tehran’s previous claims, which included video footage of the missile impact and fragments of US-made munitions, contradicting President Donald Trump’s attempts to suggest that Iran was responsible for the attack. The preliminary report found that US Central Command officers used outdated Defense Intelligence Agency data to set the target coordinates for the strike, reported NYT.

Independent analysis had already pointed to US responsibility, but the Trump administration maintained a policy of deflection over the February attack on the school in Minab, near buildings used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval forces. On Saturday, Trump blamed Iran for the school bombing, saying, “In my opinion, based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran … They’re very inaccurate, as you know, with their munitions. They have no accuracy whatsoever. It was done by Iran.” He, however, offered no evidence for the claim. US military spokespeople have not repeated Trump’s assertion, saying only that the strike is “under investigation.”

A Pentagon official told The Guardian in a brief statement: “The incident is under investigation.” A Central Command officer added, “It would be inappropriate to comment given the incident is under investigation.” Historic satellite imagery shows the school, once part of the IRGC complex, has been separated from the barracks for at least nine years. The building bears clear signs of being an educational facility, including colourful murals and small sports fields. There is no indication it was used for military purposes at the time of the strike, though its proximity to IRGC installations may explain why it was targeted.