New evidence challenges Trump claim about deadly girls school strike
New Evidence Emerges: US Tomahawk Missiles Linked to School Strike
On 28 February, a missile strike targeted Shajareh Tayyebeh School, a primary institution for girls in Minab, Hormozgan Province, Iran. Iranian officials reported at least 165 fatalities, predominantly children, as a result of the attack.
Trump’s Denial Contradicted by Emerging Footage
President Donald Trump refuted U.S. involvement during a press conference on Air Force One, asserting that the strike was Iran’s doing. “Based on what I’ve seen, that was carried out by Iran,” he stated.
Recent video footage, shared by Mehr News Agency and geolocated by Sky News’ Data and Forensics team, indicates a different narrative. The clip captures a missile impact on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval base in Minab, located close to the school.
“The video shows a Tomahawk missile striking a target,” said N.R. Jenzen-Jones, director of Armament Research Services (ARES). “Considering the parties involved, this points to a U.S. strike, as Israel is not known to use Tomahawk missiles.”
Analysis of the footage by munitions expert Jenzen-Jones confirms the missile’s type. Tomahawk missiles are identifiable by their unique wings, which fold during launch and unfold once airborne.
Operational Footage Supports U.S. Involvement
Video from U.S. Central Command, recorded on the same day as the school strike, displays Tomahawk missiles being launched from a warship operating in Iran. While it doesn’t definitively prove the missiles hit the school, it shows their use in the region.
Satellite imagery reveals significant damage to multiple structures following the strikes. Circular holes, consistent with Tomahawk impact patterns, are visible in three buildings at the naval base, including a clinic and pharmacy. A similar hole appears in the remaining section of the school building.
Structural Changes Raise Questions
Comparative satellite images from 2013 show the school within the IRGC compound. However, a wall was constructed between 2013 and 2016, separating the school from the naval base. Later images from 2018 depict the newly built walls painted in vibrant colors, with chalk markings suggesting a sports court and decorative designs.
The video’s revelations cast doubt on Trump’s claim. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth acknowledged the school strike is under review, yet he reiterated that “the only side targeting civilians is Iran.”
Grave Implications for Civilian Casualties
On 3 March, Mehr News Agency shared photographs of graves being dug at Minab Cemetery. The images depict 77 completed graves, with at least 23 more in progress.
UN experts condemned the attack, labeling it a “grave assault on children, education, and the future of an entire community.” They emphasized that schools are civilian structures and children are protected under international humanitarian law.
Videos of the aftermath show workers sifting through rubble at the school site. A dusty backpack is visible among the debris, hinting at the chaos following the strike.
Additional production by Michelle Inez Simon. The Data x Forensic team at Sky News combines data analysis with multimedia storytelling to deliver transparent journalism, utilizing satellite imagery, social media, and open-source information.
