An independent investigation group states that newly released information further confirms that the U.S. was responsible for attacking an elementary school in Iran, resulting in the deaths of 165 female students two weeks ago, despite Donald Trump's denial.
On 9 Mar 2026 GMT+7, Bellingcat, an independent investigative journalism group based in the Netherlands, revealed that newly released video evidence appears to contradict U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that Iran was behind the attack on the elementary school in Minab, which killed 165 female students.
This information emerges amid growing evidence suggesting the U.S. may have conducted the attack on 28 Feb, when bombs struck an all-girls elementary school located adjacent to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) base in Minab, Hormozgan Province, in southern Iran.
Experts interviewed by The Associated Press, referencing satellite image analysis, indicated that the school was likely targeted during a period of continuous and rapid bombings in the area.
The released video footage shows bombs hitting the school building, producing plumes of black smoke rising into the air, mixed with smoke possibly from prior attacks in the same vicinity.
Trevor Ball, a researcher from Bellingcat, pinpointed the geographic location of the video near the school, aligning with the AP's analysis.
Ball stated the weapon used was a Tomahawk cruise missile, known to be exclusively possessed by the U.S. in this conflict, marking the first evidence regarding the type of weapon employed in the attack.
The assessment is complicated by a lack of bomb debris photos from the site, and since the war began, no independent agency has been able to access the area for investigation.
Last Saturday, Donald Trump attempted to accuse Iran of being behind the school attack after reporters questioned whether the U.S. should take responsibility for the bombing that killed many children. The U.S. leader responded, “No, in my view, from what I have seen, that was Iran’s doing.”
Trump added that Iran's weapons lack accuracy, before U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth interjected, stating that the U.S. is currently investigating the incident.
Further factors indicate the attack was carried out by the U.S., including the U.S. military initiating an incident assessment process. According to Pentagon regulations on civilian harm mitigation, such assessments begin once officials preliminarily conclude that the U.S. military may be involved.
A U.S. official, speaking anonymously to AP, stated that the attack was likely carried out by the U.S.
Another factor is the school’s location next to the IRGC base and near a naval military camp, which the U.S. military targeted. The U.S. admits to conducting strikes in Hormozgan Province, including near the school.
Israel, which denies involvement in the attack, has focused on striking Iranian targets closer to Israel, with no reported attacks in areas beyond Isfahan city, which is 800 kilometers from the school.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is conducting operations with naval vessels in the Arabian Sea, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, positioned within striking distance of the school.
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Source:cna