Former US officials criticise Pentagon silence on deadly Iran school attack

April 29, 2026

Five former US officials have criticized the Pentagon for failing to provide transparency about a February 28 missile strike on a primary school in Minab, Iran, that killed 168 people, including approximately 110 children. While US media reported in early March that military investigators believed American forces likely hit the school unintentionally, the Pentagon has only stated the incident remains under investigation without releasing basic details. Former officials note this response significantly departs from historical precedent, where the Pentagon released substantially more information within a month of similar civilian casualty incidents.

Who is affected

168 people killed in the strike, including approximately 110 children
Students and staff at the primary school in Minab, Iran
Iranian officials and authorities
Five former US officials criticizing the response (including Lt Col Rachel E VanLandingham, Wes Bryant, Annie Shiel, Charles O Blaha, and one unnamed former defense official)
Congressional Democrats seeking answers (including Adam Smith, top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee)
Pentagon's Civilian Protection Center of Excellence (staff significantly reduced under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth)
UN Fact Finding Mission on Iran (denied access to the site)

What action is being taken

The Pentagon is conducting an investigation into the incident
An investigating officer from outside the CENTCOM chain of command has been appointed
Congressional Democrats have written multiple letters to Defense Secretary Hegseth asking questions about the strike
Pentagon officials have been giving closed-door briefings on military operations to members of Congress
The UN Fact Finding Mission on Iran has sought access to visit the site

Why it matters

This incident matters because it represents a significant departure from established US military protocols for transparency and accountability when civilian casualties occur. The lack of basic information release after two months contrasts sharply with historical precedent, where previous administrations under both parties provided substantially more details within weeks of similar incidents. The situation undermines America's stated commitment to the law of war, accountability, and preventing future civilian harm. Former officials emphasize that transparency is essential not only for accountability but also for ensuring such tragedies don't happen again. The silence is particularly concerning given the scale of civilian casualties, especially children, and raises questions about the administration's willingness to acknowledge potential errors or accept responsibility for unintended consequences of military operations.

What's next

The Pentagon investigation results will be shared once completed
More details will be provided by the Pentagon when they become available (according to a Pentagon official's statement to the BBC)

Read full article from source: BBC