A recent analysis by CBC News using satellite images and social media content indicates that the bombing of an Iranian elementary school may have been a result of a targeted airstrike on a nearby military compound. The incident, which resulted in the deaths of around 165 individuals, predominantly children, took place during initial U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran. Following the attack, various videos emerged showing significant damage to a girls’ school in Minab.
Although the building was being used as a school, it has been revealed that it was previously part of an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) base that remained operational next to the educational facility. Examination of satellite images and insights from experts suggest that the school bombing was a deliberate part of the strike on the adjacent military complex, possibly due to inaccurate intelligence.
Conflicting narratives emerged immediately after the bombing regarding the responsible party, with Iranian state media attributing it to the “American-Zionist enemy” and others speculating it was a failed Iranian missile strike. Visual investigations by CBC’s team authenticated multiple videos showing distinct smoke plumes, indicating multiple strikes on the area, which was further corroborated by satellite imagery revealing numerous impact craters within the complex.
Experts, including a military researcher from Factnameh, emphasized that the precision of the targeting on the IRGC facility raises doubts about it being accidental. The strike’s accuracy on the school and medical center within the compound suggests a potential misidentification of targets due to outdated intelligence. Notably, both the school and clinic had been designated for civilian use in recent years.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) noted that the location of the strikes aligns with a strategic division of responsibilities between the U.S. and Israel in their military campaigns against Iran. Minab’s proximity to the U.S. military’s primary operational zone, alongside previous strikes on naval bases in the region, indicates a strategic focus on critical military installations.
Despite the devastation caused, neither the Israeli nor U.S. military has officially claimed responsibility for the school bombing. The U.S. has expressed intentions to investigate the incident further, emphasizing the need for clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. In the aftermath, mass funerals were held in Minab for the victims, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the urgent call for a thorough investigation into the airstrike.
