Iran accuses Israel and America, but growing evidence suggests regime missile failure caused tragic school explosion.
A deadly explosion that struck a girls’ school in the southern Iranian city of Minab has triggered an international controversy as competing claims emerge over who was responsible.
According to a report citing two unnamed U.S. officials, American military investigators are examining whether a strike carried out during the first day of the U.S.–Israeli military campaign against Iran may have hit the school.
Officials stressed, however, that the investigation has not reached a final conclusion, and that new evidence could still change the preliminary assessment.
The blast reportedly killed dozens of students, with Iranian officials claiming as many as 150 casualties, though the number has not been independently verified.
US Military Investigation Still Ongoing
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed that the Pentagon is actively investigating the incident.
He emphasized that American forces do not intentionally target civilian infrastructure, noting that the inquiry is designed to determine what actually occurred.
Officials familiar with the investigation say several critical details remain unclear, including:
- What type of munition caused the explosion
- Whether U.S. or Israeli forces were involved
- Whether the blast could have been caused by an Iranian weapons malfunction
The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command have declined to comment on specific operational details while the investigation continues.
Israeli Officials Point to Iranian Missile Failure
Israeli officials strongly dispute claims that Israeli or U.S. forces were responsible.
According to Israeli government adviser Ophir Falk, early information suggests the explosion was caused by a misfired Iranian missile rather than a foreign strike.
He noted that similar incidents have occurred previously when militant groups launched rockets that malfunctioned and landed in civilian areas.
Falk stated that if the incident was indeed caused by a malfunctioning Iranian weapon, responsibility would lie with the Iranian regime for deploying dangerous military systems near civilian populations.
Military Operations Divided Between Israel and the United States
Sources familiar with joint operational planning told reporters that the U.S. and Israel have divided targets geographically during the campaign against Iranian military infrastructure.
Operational Focus Areas
| Country | Target Focus | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Israel | Missile launch sites | Western Iran |
| United States | Naval bases and missile facilities | Southern Iran |
Minab, located in southern Iran, falls within the region where U.S. forces were conducting operations, though investigators have not confirmed whether any U.S. strike occurred near the school.
Propaganda Battle Amid Regional War
Iran quickly blamed the United States and Israel for the explosion, accusing them of targeting civilians.
However, Western officials note that the Iranian government has a long history of propaganda and unverified casualty claims during wartime.
The White House responded cautiously, emphasizing that the investigation must be completed before conclusions are drawn. Officials also highlighted that Iran itself has frequently launched attacks that have endangered civilians across the region.
Fog of War and Competing Narratives
As the investigation continues, the incident highlights the fog of war that often surrounds major conflicts.
Until forensic evidence, satellite data, and weapons analysis are completed, it remains unclear what caused the deadly blast.
What is clear is that the event has become another flashpoint in the broader confrontation between Iran and the U.S.–Israel alliance.
