Headlines
US says it wouldn't deliberately target a school after iran said over 160 killed in strike
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 2, 2026
3 min readLast updated: March 2, 2026
Quick Summary
A girls’ elementary school in Minab, southern Iran, was struck on February 28 during U.S.–Israeli air raids. Iranian reports claim up to 180 killed, prompting U.S. denial of intentional targeting and confirmation of an investigation underway.
US Denies Deliberate Targeting of School After Iran Reports 160 Killed
US Response and International Reactions to Reported School Strike in Iran
By Kanishka Singh
Details of the Reported Incident
WASHINGTON, March 2 (Reuters) - Secretary of State Marco Rubio said U.S. forces "would not deliberately target a school" after Iranian state media reported over 160 were killed in a strike on a girls' school on the first day of the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.
The reported strike took place on a girls' elementary school in the town of Minab in southern Iran on Saturday, marking the deadliest incident in the U.S. and Israel's war against Iran.
Condemnation and Legal Implications
The incident has been condemned by the U.N. culture and education agency UNESCO and Nobel Peace Prize-winning education activist Malala Yousafzai. Deliberately attacking an educational institution or hospital or any other civilian structure is a war crime under international humanitarian law.
US Officials' Statements and Investigation
"The Department of War would be investigating that if that was our strike, and I would refer your question to them," Rubio told reporters on Monday when asked about the incident. "The United States would not deliberately target a school."
The Pentagon and the U.S. Central Command did not respond to a request for comment. Over the weekend, the U.S. Central Command told media outlets it was "looking into" reports of "civilian harm resulting from ongoing military operations."
UN and International Community Reactions
Rosemary DiCarlo, the U.N. under-secretary-general for peacebuilding, said on Monday she was aware of reports from Iran on the deaths from the reported strike and noted that U.S. officials have said they were looking into the reports.
"It will be very tragic, but I can't speak to the details behind it because I just don't have it. It will be a tragic outcome if it's happened. I don't have the details as to what led to it but what is clear is that the United States will not deliberately target a school," Rubio said.
Israeli Response and Conflicting Reports
Israel's ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, was also asked about the strike that Iranian state media blamed on Israel and the U.S. Danon said he had seen different reports, including that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted the school.
Reuters could not independently confirm the reports.
Broader Context of US-Israeli Operations
The U.S. and Israeli air war against Iran began with their attacks against Tehran on Saturday and has since widened with Iranian retaliation.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed over the weekend. President Donald Trump has said the operation could continue for some weeks.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Sonali Paul)
Key Takeaways
- •Iranian state media reports that the U.S. and Israel struck the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in Minab on February 28, with death toll estimates ranging from 85 to 180, mostly schoolchildren (en.wikipedia.org).
- •Videos of the destroyed school have been authenticated by major outlets, and UNESCO and Malala Yousafzai condemned the attack as a grave violation of international humanitarian law (en.wikipedia.org).
- •U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that U.S. forces 'would not deliberately target a school' and that military authorities are investigating—while the Pentagon and CENTCOM have not yet responded publicly (en.wikipedia.org).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about US says it wouldn't deliberately target a school after Iran said over 160 killed in strike
1What did Iranian state media report about the school strike?
Iranian state media reported that over 160 people were killed in a strike on a girls' elementary school in Minab, southern Iran.
2How did the US government respond to the reports of the school strike?
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the US would not deliberately target a school and the Department of War would investigate if it was a US strike.
3Who has condemned the strike on the Iranian school?
The U.N. culture and education agency UNESCO and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai condemned the incident.
4Is attacking a school during conflict considered a war crime?
Yes, deliberately attacking an educational institution is a war crime under international humanitarian law.
5Has the US military confirmed responsibility for the strike?
The Pentagon and US Central Command have not confirmed responsibility and are investigating reports of civilian harm.
