Questions mount for Hegseth over possible US involvement in strike on Iranian school

March 12, 2026

Nearly all Senate Democrats have sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding information about a US strike on an Iranian school in Minab that killed 168 people, predominantly children. Preliminary US military assessments suggest American forces likely hit the school unintentionally during joint US-Israeli operations, possibly due to outdated intelligence that incorrectly identified the location as a military site. Evidence including the presence of Tomahawk missiles—which only the US possesses among the involved parties—points to American responsibility, though no final determination has been made.

Who is affected

168 people killed in the strike, including approximately 110 children
Residents near the school in Minab, Iran
Civilians in other Iranian sites including a hospital and historic landmarks
Civilians in Israel and US-allied Gulf states targeted by Iranian retaliatory attacks
US military personnel involved in the operation
Senate Democrats demanding accountability
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth facing congressional scrutiny

What action is being taken

The US military is conducting an investigation into the school strike
The Pentagon is preparing a response to the Senate Democrats' letter
Iran is launching retaliatory attacks on Israel and US-allied Gulf states, targeting civilian sites and energy facilities
The joint US-Israeli military operation that began on February 28 is ongoing

Why it matters

This incident represents potentially one of the worst single cases of civilian casualties in decades of US conflicts in the Middle East, with 110 children among the dead. The strike raises serious questions about US targeting procedures, intelligence reliability, and compliance with rules of engagement designed to prevent war crimes. The incident has become highly divisive along partisan lines in US politics and is fueling an escalating cycle of violence, with Iran responding through attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in the region. The tragedy also highlights the catastrophic consequences of using outdated military intelligence in populated areas.

What's next

The Pentagon will respond directly to the Senate Democrats' letter
The US military investigation will reach a final conclusion about responsibility for the strike
Senate Democrats await detailed answers to their questions about the targeting, intelligence used, and compliance with rules of engagement
Senator Gary Peters stated they will "discuss what actions to take" after the facts are established

Read full article from source: BBC