United States Fires Tomahawk That Struck Iranian Primary School; Human Rights Watch Demands War-Crime Probe

Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that a March strike on an IRGC naval compound struck and severely damaged a walled-off primary school inside the site.

“- Published Warning: this story contains details which some readers might find distressing Satellite imagery analysis reveals multiple strikes and burn marks around a school in southern Iran, suggesting it was hit more than once, in an attack Iranian authorities say killed 168 people on Saturday”

BBC

HRW said the strike was carried out with highly accurate, guided munitions.

BBC

HRW’s visual and satellite analysis identified at least eight and likely up to ten distinct impact points across the compound, including direct strikes on the school and an adjacent medical clinic.

HRW found the damage patterns, including small circular entry holes and roof penetrations, were consistent with guided munitions rather than errant or failed weapons.

HRW emphasised civilian harm, noting the school was in use and children were present when it was hit.

Investigators found no evidence the school was being used for military purposes.

Human Rights Watch

HRW stressed that the presence of a school within a compound allegedly used by IRGC forces did not automatically make it a lawful military target.

The organisation reiterated that the laws of war prohibit attacks that would cause disproportionate civilian harm.

HRW has called for a prompt, thorough investigation and accountability, writing to the US, Israeli and Iranian authorities.

The Israeli military told HRW on March 3 that it was not aware of strikes in the area and was examining the incident.

Iran and the US military did not provide written responses, and the US Defense Secretary said on March 4 that the matter was under investigation.

HRW urged inquiries into whether the attackers knew the school would be occupied at midday and demanded prosecutions of anyone responsible for unlawful attacks or war crimes.

HRW’s conclusions are based on verification and analysis of imagery and footage, including 14 videos/photos from immediately after the strike, four from funerals, and decades of satellite imagery taken after the attack.

The report notes important limitations because researchers could not interview witnesses or families due to Iran’s internet shutdown and communications restrictions, leaving casualty figures and some details unverified.

BBC

HRW therefore framed its findings as requiring independent investigations to establish full facts and to determine whether Iranian positioning of facilities unnecessarily placed civilians at risk.