US senators call for investigation into the Minab girls’ school bombing in Iran after reports that at least 170 people, mostly children, were killed during the strike. The attack occurred on February 28, coinciding with the opening wave of US-Israeli military operations against Iran. In a joint statement, six senior Democratic lawmakers described the bombing as “horrifying” and called for full transparency from the Pentagon on how and why it happened.
The senators emphasized that the killing of school children is unacceptable under any circumstances. They demanded a thorough review of the incident, highlighting that the public deserves clear answers. Concerns have grown following the release of video footage suggesting the school may have been hit by a Tomahawk missile, a weapon used by the United States but not known to be in the arsenals of Israel or Iran.
The Minab attack has drawn widespread attention as one of the deadliest civilian incidents in the conflict so far. Iranian officials report that the war has caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, residential buildings, markets, and public utilities such as water desalination plants. Iran’s Deputy Health Minister Ali Jafarian said that US and Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,255 people since the start of the conflict, with most of the victims being civilians.
The senators referenced statements from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who discussed loosening military rules of engagement to allow more lethal strikes. They argued that any policy decisions contributing to civilian casualties must be fully examined. The lawmakers, including Senators Brian Schatz, Jeanne Shaheen, Jack Reed, and Elizabeth Warren, stressed the need for an impartial investigation and called on the Department of Defense to provide detailed answers to Congress and the American public.
Hegseth previously described US strikes as “the most lethal” against Iran and suggested that restrictive engagement rules limit military effectiveness. Despite growing journalistic investigations indicating US weapons may have been involved, former President Donald Trump claimed the bombing was carried out by Iran, though Hegseth has refrained from repeating that assertion and said the Pentagon continues to investigate.
Human rights advocates argue that transparency is critical. Annie Shiel, US director at the Center for Civilians in Conflict, said the administration should prioritize uncovering the truth over denying responsibility. She stressed that only a thorough, independent investigation will clarify what happened, why it occurred, and how to prevent similar tragedies.
The Minab bombing has become a focal point in discussions about accountability, civilian protection, and the conduct of military operations, underlining the urgent need for clear answers in a war that has already inflicted widespread human suffering.
