Iran School Blast Leaves Around 160 Dead as Reports of Tomahawk Missile Spark Controversy
U.S. President Donald Trump has blamed Iran for an explosion that struck a school in southern Iran and reportedly killed more than 150 people, many of them children. The incident has sparked international concern and renewed scrutiny over the conduct of military operations in the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The controversy intensified after reports suggested that a Tomahawk cruise missile may have been involved in the strike. When questioned by reporters, Trump said he did not know enough about the weapon reportedly used in the attack and stated that the matter was currently under investigation.
Explosion at School Sparks Global Concern
The explosion occurred on February 28 in the southern Iranian city of Minab, on the same day large-scale military strikes were launched across several parts of Iran.
Iranian authorities said the blast struck an elementary school, killing around 160 people, including a large number of children. Officials in Tehran blamed the United States and Israel for the attack, describing it as a major escalation in the conflict.
Images broadcast by Iranian state media showed funeral processions and coffins draped in Iranian flags, with some bearing photographs of children believed to have been among the victims.
Trump Responds to Questions Over Missile Reports
During a press interaction, Donald Trump was asked about reports suggesting that a Tomahawk cruise missile might have struck the area near the school.
The U.S. president said he did not have complete information about the incident. Trump added that the Tomahawk missile, while commonly associated with the U.S. military, is also used or possessed by other countries.
He said the issue was currently being examined and indicated that further details would emerge once investigations were completed.
Video Footage Raises New Questions
Reports from international media outlets have added another layer of complexity to the incident.
A report by The New York Times said it had authenticated video footage released by Iran’s Mehr News Agency, which appeared to show a Tomahawk missile striking a structure close to the school.
The footage reportedly captured dust and smoke rising from the direction of the building shortly after several explosions were reported near a nearby military installation.
According to the newspaper, the United States is the only military currently using Tomahawk missiles in the ongoing conflict.
Analysts Examine Video and Satellite Images
Independent investigative groups and analysts have also examined the footage and satellite imagery from the site. The investigative organisation Bellingcat, along with analysts cited by the Associated Press, reviewed the video and suggested that the munition visible in the footage was likely a Tomahawk cruise missile.
Experts studying satellite imagery also noted that the explosion occurred in an area close to facilities linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). These facilities reportedly include a naval base and a medical clinic located near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, an area of major geopolitical importance.
U.S. Military Operations Near the Area
Earlier briefings from the U.S. military had confirmed that American forces conducted strikes targeting naval facilities near the Strait of Hormuz on the same day as the explosion in Minab.
However, U.S. officials have said that their operations were focused on military targets and not civilian infrastructure.
The proximity of the school to military installations has raised questions about whether the explosion was linked to the nearby strikes or was the result of a separate incident.
Conflicting Statements From Officials
While Iranian leaders have blamed the United States and Israel, both countries have rejected responsibility for intentionally targeting a school.
Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani said the Israeli army had no knowledge of any strike on the school and stated that officials were not aware of an Israeli or American attack on that location.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would never deliberately strike a school.
Rubio said the Pentagon was examining the incident and stressed that U.S. military objectives in the conflict are focused on missile systems and launch capabilities, not civilian institutions.
Ongoing Investigation Into the Incident
With multiple claims and counterclaims emerging, the exact circumstances surrounding the Minab school explosion remain unclear.
Investigations by journalists, independent analysts and government agencies are continuing as authorities attempt to determine what caused the blast and who was responsible.
The incident has intensified debate over the human impact of the ongoing conflict, particularly as reports of civilian casualties continue to surface from different parts of the region.
For now, officials say the findings of ongoing investigations will be crucial in establishing the facts behind one of the most controversial incidents of the current war.
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