Rights group says Tomahawk missile doubtless utilized in Minab faculty strike that killed a minimum of 170 folks, largely kids.
Printed On 16 Mar 2026
The US is accountable for an attack on an Iranian primary school that killed a minimum of 170 folks, most of them kids, Amnesty Worldwide has mentioned in a brand new investigation, urging accountability for the assault.
The rights group mentioned on Monday {that a} US-manufactured Tomahawk missile was doubtless utilized in the attack on the college within the southern metropolis of Minab on February 28.
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“Tomahawk missiles are used solely by US forces on this battle and are precision-guided missiles,” it mentioned.
Utilizing satellite tv for pc imagery, video footage and interviews with consultants, Amnesty mentioned its investigation showed the school was “instantly struck” alongside a dozen different buildings in an adjoining Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) compound.
“This factors to a failure by US forces to take possible precautions to keep away from civilian hurt in finishing up the assault, which is a severe breach of worldwide humanitarian legislation,” the organisation mentioned.
“The truth that the college constructing was instantly focused and was beforehand a part of the IRGC compound raises considerations that US forces might have relied on outdated intelligence and failed of their obligation to do every part possible to confirm that the meant goal was a army goal.”
Rights advocates have pointed to the Minab assault as proof of potential battle crimes being dedicated by Israel and the US of their battle on Iran, which legal experts say was launched late final month in violation of worldwide legislation.
Whereas Washington has mentioned it’s investigating the incident, US President Donald Trump’s administration faces growing calls to hold out an intensive probe and guarantee accountability for what occurred.
United Nations consultants have described the college assault as “a grave assault on kids” whereas US Democratic lawmakers have urged the Trump administration to “present clear solutions to the American public and Congress about how and why this tragedy unfolded”.
Because the US-Israeli battle on Iran continues, consultants have raised alarm about feedback made by senior US officials, showing to ignore worldwide legislation.
US Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth recommended earlier this month that Washington wouldn’t abide by “silly guidelines of engagement” in its army offensive towards Iran.
“America, no matter what so-called worldwide establishments say, is unleashing probably the most deadly and exact air energy marketing campaign in historical past,” Hegseth told reporters on March 2.
“No silly guidelines of engagement, no nation-building quagmire, no democracy-building train, no politically right wars. We combat to win, and we don’t waste time or lives.”
In Monday’s assertion concerning the Minab assault, Amnesty Worldwide mentioned the people accountable for planning and finishing up the lethal strike should be held accountable.
Erika Guevara-Rosas, the group’s senior director of analysis, advocacy, coverage and campaigns, mentioned if Washington did not determine the constructing as a college but went forward with the strike, “this might point out gross negligence within the planning of the assault”.
It additionally “would level to a shameful intelligence failure on the a part of the US army and a severe violation of worldwide humanitarian legislation”, she mentioned.
Alternatively, Guevara-Rosas mentioned the US might have identified the college was adjoining to the IRGC compound and gone forward with the assault with out taking “all possible precautions” to minimise civilian hurt.
In that case, the assault “would quantity to recklessly launching an indiscriminate assault which killed and injured civilians and should be investigated as a battle crime”, she mentioned.
