President Donald Trump Blames Iran For Girls' School Bombing Despite U.S. Investigation Suggesting U.S. Strike

President Donald Trump publicly blamed Iran for a Feb. 28 strike on a girls' elementary school in southern Iran.

“Skip to Main Content Trump says Iran at fault for strike on girls school The president’s comments on the strike are a departure from past White House posturing”

POLITICO

He said aboard Air Force One, "based on what I've seen, that was done by Iran."

The New York Times

Multiple outlets report he made the remarks while traveling after a dignified transfer ceremony, with Trump denying U.S. involvement in the strike as he publicly assigned blame to Iran.

His comments also included a critique of Iranian munitions' accuracy.

USA Today said the strike destroyed Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary in Minab and killed about 175 people, mostly children.

POLITICO described the incident as killing 'more than 165 people'.

USA Today

WION reported the strike killed 'at least 168 children and 14 teachers'.

These differing tallies reflect inconsistencies in early reporting on the scale of the civilian toll.

Questions about responsibility for the school strike remain contested.

“Trump says Iran bombed girls' school”

USA Today

USA Today noted Iranian officials blamed the U.S. and Israel and said a U.S. investigation into the bombing is ongoing.

WION cited earlier reporting — including a CNN analysis of satellite imagery, geolocated videos and munitions experts — that suggested the Shajare Tayyiba school in Minab was struck around the same time as a U.S. attack on a nearby IRGC naval base.

POLITICO reported Trump’s public denial of U.S. involvement as part of the evolving narrative.

Trump’s remarks came amid solemn U.S. military events: both USA Today and POLITICO note he spoke after attending a Dover transfer ceremony for six U.S. service members killed in an earlier Iranian drone attack.

POLITICO included a photo of Trump saluting the transfer case of U.S. Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, who was killed in a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait after the U.S. and Israel began a military campaign against Iran.

The New York Times

WION likewise reported Trump made the comments after attending the dignified transfer and quoted him defending the campaign as "winning the war by a lot."

Administration rhetoric and public backing for Trump’s claim were visible.

“Skip to Main Content Trump says Iran at fault for strike on girls school The president’s comments on the strike are a departure from past White House posturing”

POLITICO

USA Today reported that Pete Hegseth echoed the president, saying 'the only side that targets civilians is Iran,' and that the White House reiterated the United States does not target civilians.

USA Today

WION reported the same Hegseth quote and both outlets highlighted competing narratives as officials, media analyses and investigators work through conflicting evidence.

POLITICO characterized Trump’s decision to publicly assign blame as 'a departure from past White House posturing,' underscoring the political significance of the president’s statements amid an unresolved U.S. probe.