A preliminary Pentagon investigation has found that a US missile strike on an elementary school in southern Iran last month, which killed over 160 people including children, resulted from a critical targeting error caused by outdated intelligence. The February 28 attack targeted Shajarah Tayyebeh school in Minab during operations against a nearby Iranian military base.
Intelligence Failure Under Scrutiny
According to The New York Times, officers at US Central Command used obsolete Defense Intelligence Agency data to generate strike coordinates. Officials familiar with the probe state the error went undetected due to procedural oversights, though investigations remain ongoing to determine why safeguards failed.
Regional Tensions Escalate
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the strike as "inhumane," demanding accountability. The incident has intensified diplomatic strains amid already fragile US-Iran relations. Analysts warn the tragedy could complicate regional security negotiations ahead of the 2026 APEC Leaders’ Meeting in Jakarta.
As global humanitarian organizations call for independent investigations, the Pentagon emphasizes its commitment to reviewing operational protocols to prevent future errors.
