Iran29 April, 20263 min read
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says CENTCOM designates officer to probe Iran school strike
CENTCOM designates an investigating officer to lead Iran school strike inquiry. A formal command investigation into the February 28 Minab strike has been opened.
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Investigation Announcement
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on March 13, 2026, that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has designated a general officer from outside the command to lead a formal investigation.
“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Friday that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has designated an officer to lead an investigation into a deadly strike on a school in Iran. The Feb. 28 strike on the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school killed more than 160 people when the U.S and Israel launched attacks on the country.”
The announcement came during a Pentagon press briefing where Hegseth stated that 'CENTCOM has designated an investigating officer to complete a command investigation.'
Hegseth emphasized that 'the command investigation will take as long as necessary to address all the matters surrounding this incident.'
The strike on February 28 killed more than 160 people when the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran.
The school was specifically targeted in the military operation that day.
Preliminary Findings
Preliminary investigation findings suggest the United States was responsible for the deadly strike.
U.S. officials told The New York Times that a U.S. Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) hit the school.
CNN reported that sources briefed on early findings indicate the U.S. military may have accidentally struck the Iranian elementary school while targeting a nearby IRGC facility.
Reuters also reported last week that an internal U.S. military investigation showed U.S. forces were likely responsible.
Despite these preliminary findings, Hegseth declined to confirm the details during his press briefing.
Hegseth stated 'We're not going to let reporting lead us or force our hand into indicating what happened in a particular situation, because the truth matters.'
Investigation Concerns
The strike has drawn significant scrutiny regarding U.S. involvement and intelligence used before the attack.
“Questions continue to mount about possible U.S. involvement in the strike, the intelligence used before it and whether Iran placed military assets near civilians to shield them or weaponize potential casualties.”
Questions continue about whether Iran placed military assets near civilians to shield them or weaponize potential casualties.
The Pentagon has opened a formal command investigation into the Feb. 28 strike in Minab, Iran.
Iranian officials claim dozens of children were killed in a strike at a school beside a military compound.
Questions remain about whether civilian risk assessments functioned as intended during the opening phase of high-intensity conflict.
Iranian officials claim between 168 and 180 fatalities, mostly girls aged 7-12, but these casualty figures remain unconfirmed by independent sources.
Perspective Disputes
Different perspectives have emerged regarding the nature and purpose of the school targeted in the strike. Iranian-American journalist Banafsheh Zand suggested that 'the school itself was for the children of the (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) Navy.' Zand noted that 'the use of human shields is against international humanitarian law' while questioning the casualty figures.
She pointed out that 'there has been no independent confirmation of the reported casualty figures.' Zand questioned Iranian claims about the number of victims, specifically noting the discrepancy between boys and girls. She also stated that satellite images showing newly dug graves don't match the claimed death toll.
Civilian Targeting Claims
In defending U.S. targeting procedures while the investigation unfolds, Hegseth made a notable distinction about civilian targeting practices.
“'But I will note to this group and to the world, there's only one entity in this conflict between US and Iran that never targets civilians. Literally never target civilians,' he added.”
'There's only one entity in this conflict, between us and Iran, that never targets civilians, literally never target civilians,' he said during the Pentagon briefing.
This statement came as CENTCOM has declined to confirm whether American forces launched the missile.
CENTCOM stated that 'it would be inappropriate to comment given the incident is under investigation.'
Hegseth vowed that 'We will investigate. We'll get to the truth and we'll share it when we have it.'
He emphasized the importance of transparency in the investigation process.