School Strike Sparks U. S. Accountability Calls

The United States is under scrutiny after a missile attack on an Iranian elementary school killed more than 165 people, most of them children. A U. S. official and another briefed on the preliminary military probe suggest that outdated intelligence from the Defense Intelligence Agency led U. S. Central Command to target coordinates that were wrong. The incident, which occurred on the first day of school, has become a key point in the ongoing conflict and could rank among the deadliest civilian casualties caused by American forces in twenty years. President Donald Trump’s stance shifted from blaming Iran to saying he was unsure of the blame, and then stated he would accept Pentagon findings. The issue gained urgency when a New York Times report highlighted that the preliminary investigation pointed to U. S. responsibility. The Pentagon says it is still investigating, while the White House confirms the probe continues. More than 45 Democratic senators demanded answers from the administration. Their letter asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth whether U. S. forces were at fault and what analyses had been done on the school building. Senators also criticized budget cuts that weakened Central Command and the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence—an office created in 2022 to reduce civilian harm. They argued that cuts left the center with no budget and minimal staff, making it hard to prevent future mistakes.

Evidence suggests the strike could have been avoided. Satellite images show the school was clearly labeled and had bright murals visible from space, a feature that could have identified it as civilian. The school was part of a military compound until 2017, after which walls were added and the watchtower removed. International law prohibits strikes on civilian sites unless they are military objectives, a principle upheld by experts like Elise Baker of the Atlantic Council. Senators from both parties called for an honest investigation. Senator Tim Kaine warned that if the U. S. is responsible, it might indicate a shift away from traditional targeting rules or a mistake that must be corrected. Senator Kevin Cramer urged the military to admit fault and prevent future errors, noting that mistakes cannot be undone. The Civilian Protection Center of Excellence was intended to institutionalize practices for preventing civilian harm, but reports show its workforce was cut and its “no‑strike” list left outdated. A Pentagon report cited a single director and 30 staff in April 2023, but the office now operates with no budget. The lack of resources hampers efforts to keep civilian sites safe amid an active war.

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