US Strike On Iranian School That Killed 165 Tied to Outdated Intelligence/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Manour/ Morning Edition/ A preliminary U.S. military investigation suggests outdated intelligence may have led to a missile strike on an Iranian elementary school. The Feb. 28 attack killed more than 165 people, many of them children, during the opening hours of the war with Iran. Lawmakers are demanding answers as questions grow about civilian protection policies and military targeting procedures.
Iran School Strike Investigation Quick Looks
- A U.S. missile strike reportedly hit Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Iran.
- The attack killed more than 165 civilians, including many children.
- Preliminary findings suggest outdated intelligence data caused the targeting error.
- U.S. Central Command relied on coordinates from the Defense Intelligence Agency.
- The school was located near an Iranian Revolutionary Guard facility.
- Satellite images show the building was clearly identifiable as a school.
- Lawmakers are demanding explanations from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
- More than 45 Democratic senators called for accountability.
- Critics warn Pentagon cuts weakened civilian protection programs.
- The strike could become one of the deadliest civilian casualty incidents involving U.S. forces in decades.
Deep Look
Outdated Intelligence May Have Led to Deadly Strike
A preliminary U.S. military investigation suggests that outdated intelligence likely contributed to a missile strike that hit an Iranian elementary school during the opening hours of the war with Iran.
The attack killed more than 165 people, many of them children, making it one of the deadliest incidents involving civilian casualties linked to U.S. military operations in the past two decades.
According to a U.S. official and another person briefed on the investigation, the strike relied on targeting coordinates based on outdated data.
That information had been supplied by the Defense Intelligence Agency and used by U.S. Central Command, which is directing the military campaign against Iran.
Both individuals spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the preliminary findings.
School Strike Becomes Flashpoint in War
The bombing of Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School quickly became one of the most controversial moments of the conflict.
The strike occurred on Feb. 28, the first day of the war between the United States, Israel and Iran.
Because the attack happened on a Saturday morning — the start of the school week in Iran — the building was reportedly filled with students at the time.
If confirmed to have been carried out by U.S. forces, the strike could represent one of the largest civilian casualty events attributed to American military operations in recent decades.
The incident has sparked intense scrutiny both inside the United States and internationally.
Trump’s Response and Ongoing Investigation
President Donald Trump initially blamed Iran for the attack.
Later, he said he was uncertain about who was responsible and indicated he would accept the results of a Pentagon investigation.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the investigation into the strike remains ongoing.
“The investigation is still ongoing,” she told reporters.
The issue gained renewed attention after reports emerged indicating that the U.S. military may have been responsible for the strike.
Evidence Suggests the Site Was Clearly Civilian
Several pieces of evidence suggest the school could have been identified as a civilian location before the attack.
Satellite imagery shows the school building had clear features that distinguished it from military structures.
The building had bright exterior murals painted in vivid colors that were visible from satellite images.
Publicly available maps also identified the structure as a school.
Additionally, the facility maintained a website with information about teachers, students and school programs.
The school was located close to a base operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which may have contributed to confusion during targeting.
However, experts say proximity to a military site does not change the protected status of civilian structures.
Under international humanitarian law, schools, hospitals and homes are generally considered protected civilian locations and cannot be intentionally targeted.
Growing Pressure From Lawmakers
The preliminary findings have triggered strong reactions from members of Congress.
More than 45 Democratic senators sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding detailed information about the strike.
They questioned whether the U.S. military failed to properly verify the target before launching the attack.
Lawmakers also raised concerns about cuts to Pentagon programs designed to reduce civilian casualties.
“Budgetary and personnel cuts have robbed military commands of crucial resources to prevent and respond to civilian casualties,” the senators wrote.
Some Republicans have also expressed concern.
Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota said the investigation must determine exactly what happened.
“If the U.S. was responsible, we have to admit it and make sure it never happens again,” Cramer said.
Civilian Protection Programs Under Scrutiny
Critics say the strike may reflect broader changes within the Pentagon.
In recent years, Congress directed the Department of Defense to create a Civilian Protection Center of Excellence to improve efforts to reduce civilian casualties during military operations.
The center was established as part of a 2022 defense policy initiative intended to strengthen civilian protection policies.
However, some former officials say the program has been weakened by budget cuts and staff reductions.
Wes Bryant, a former official who worked on civilian harm assessments, said efforts to update “no-strike lists” — databases of protected civilian sites such as schools, hospitals and churches — had stalled.
These lists help military planners avoid targeting civilian structures during combat operations.
Bryant said outdated lists could increase the risk of mistaken strikes.
“They have no budget,” he said of the office. “They’re trying to maintain any semblance of the mission.”
A spokesperson for U.S. Central Command disputed reports that the program had only one staff member but declined to provide further details because the investigation is ongoing.
Impact on Public Support for the War
The controversy surrounding the strike comes at a politically sensitive moment for the Trump administration.
Trump campaigned on promises to avoid prolonged foreign wars and criticized previous U.S. military interventions abroad.
Now, as the conflict with Iran intensifies, questions about civilian casualties could influence public opinion about the war.
Lawmakers from both parties say the Pentagon must determine exactly what happened.
Sen. Tim Kaine said the key question is whether the strike reflects a mistake or a change in U.S. military targeting policies.
“If we’ve changed our rules and no longer provide the same protections for civilians,” Kaine said, “that would be tragic.”
Even if the investigation ultimately confirms the strike was accidental, analysts say the incident highlights the challenges of modern warfare — where intelligence errors and outdated information can have devastating consequences.
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