A US Tomahawk missile hit a military base near a primary school in southern Iran, according to expert video analysis.
The strike, which occurred near the Shajareh Tayebeh primary school in Minab, resulted in the deaths of 168 people, including around 110 children, Iranian authorities said. This information was confirmed by BBC Verify through authentic video published by Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency.
Experts who analyzed the video identified the munition as a US Tomahawk missile, citing its characteristics in the terminal phase. The presence of a Tomahawk missile, along with evidence of multiple strikes, suggests this was a US operation, according to experts.
Police Response and Timeline
Neither Israel nor Iran are known to possess Tomahawks, making it unlikely that either country was responsible for the strike. The US military's most-senior officer, Gen Dan Caine, previously stated that Tomahawks were the first missiles to be fired at Iran by the US Navy.
The US Department of Defense produced an illustrative map showing strikes carried out in the first 100 hours of the war, which includes the Minab area. US President Donald Trump initially blamed Iran for the strike, but a preliminary US assessment suggests the US may have been responsible, although not intentionally targeting the school.
Investigation and Official Statements
Iran has blamed the US and Israel for the attack, while an Israeli government source denied any involvement. The BBC has asked the US government to comment on the experts' assessment of the new video, which was first analyzed by online investigation group Bellingcat.
Wes Bryant, a national security analyst, confirmed that the evidence points to a US Tomahawk missile and a deliberate operation. N R Jenzen Jones, director of Armament Research Services, previously stated that Iranian missiles are unlikely to have caused the significant blast damage seen at the school.
Casualty Breakdown and Aftermath
The verified video shows large smoke plumes near the school before the Tomahawk is visible, suggesting the school was hit before the missile detonated in the military base. The medical clinic at the base, approximately 200m from the school, was likely hit by the Tomahawk missile.
The incident has been difficult to independently verify due to an ongoing internet blackout in Iran and restrictions on international journalists' ability to report freely in the country.
