Report: 165 Girls Killed in Possible U.S. Assault in Iran

SadaNews - Initial assessments indicate that the United States may be responsible for the attack targeting an elementary school in southern Iran, although it was not primarily intended, according to CBS News quoting a source familiar with initial intelligence information.

The network added that the strike might have resulted from outdated intelligence that incorrectly identified the area as part of an Iranian military facility.

The missile attack on the "Good Tree" elementary girls' school in the Iranian city of Minab on the morning of Saturday, February 28, resulted in the deaths of more than 165 students.

This attack occurred on the same day that the United States and Israel began launching military strikes on Iran.

The "Good Tree" school is a non-profit institution providing educational services to the children of members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's navy.

Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani stated that "30% of the martyrs of the American and Zionist attacks on the country are children."

CBS News reported from two sources that the Israeli army was not active in that area, explaining that investigators believe the U.S. military is the likely culprit, as it was operating in the region while Israeli forces were not present.

An Israeli government source confirmed that Israel was not behind the attack, and its army was not operating near the school.

The White House spokeswoman responded to these assessments by saying that the investigation is still ongoing, adding that "there are no final conclusions at this time, and it is incorrect to assert or deny responsibility outright."

Previously, Reuters quoted American military investigators as saying they suspect U.S. forces are responsible for the attack that killed dozens of students, but they have not yet reached a final conclusion and have not completed their investigation.

In this context, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) called on all parties to protect children and schools and to fulfill their responsibilities under international law to ensure the protection of civilians.

The organization noted that at least 20 schools and 10 hospitals have been damaged in Iran, hindering children's access to education and essential health services.