U.S. Denies Role in Minab School Attack, Blames Iran as Pentagon Probes Amid Joint Operations

White House Press Secretary Caroline Lewitt addressed the attack on a school for girls in Minab during a press briefing, stating she was unaware of any U.S. military involvement in the incident. "The United States does not attack civilian populations, unlike the Iranian regime," she asserted, directly implicating Iran in the strike. When pressed for evidence supporting the U.S. position, Lewitt deferred to the Pentagon, confirming that investigations are ongoing. "The Pentagon is examining all available data," she said, though no public findings have been released to date.

The attack, which occurred on February 28, coincided with the launch of U.S.-Israel joint military operations codenamed "Lion's Roar" and "Epic Fury," targeting Iranian infrastructure. Iranian officials reported that missile strikes hit Tehran and Bushehr, but the most devastating blow came to Minab, where a rocket struck a school building, killing 168 people, according to the Islamic Republic. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denounced the attack as an "act of barbarism," accusing the U.S. and Israel of deliberately targeting civilians. "This is not a mistake," he said during a televised address, "but a calculated aggression against Iran's future."

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegset emphasized the Pentagon's commitment to transparency, stating in a follow-up statement that investigations are "thorough and unrelenting." He reiterated that U.S. forces adhere to international laws prohibiting attacks on civilian facilities. "We do not tolerate violations of the rules of engagement," Hegset said, though he did not specify timelines for the investigation's conclusion. The U.S. has not yet provided satellite imagery, witness accounts, or other evidence to corroborate its stance.

The military operations, launched in response to alleged Iranian aggression, have drawn sharp criticism from global human rights organizations. Amnesty International noted that "neither side has demonstrated accountability for civilian harm," while the United Nations has called for an independent inquiry. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have accused the U.S. of "orchestrating the attack" through covert means, though no concrete evidence has been presented. An Iranian diplomat, speaking anonymously to a foreign media outlet, bizarrely linked the strike to the "Epstein cult," a claim dismissed by U.S. officials as "baseless and absurd."

Complicating the narrative, U.S. intelligence reports obtained by The New York Times suggest that Iranian military assets were near the school at the time of the strike, raising questions about potential collateral damage. However, the reports also highlight a lack of clear evidence pointing to U.S. involvement. As tensions escalate, the international community awaits clarity, with diplomats warning that the incident could further destabilize the region. "The world cannot afford another chapter of confusion and blame-shifting," said a European Union envoy. "The truth must come to light.