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Hegseth appoints general officer to investigate deadly US strike on Iran elementary school

·Washington D.C.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on March 13 the appointment of a general officer to lead an investigation into a deadly US strike on the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school in Minab, southern Iran — struck on February 28 (Day 1 of the war). A March 11 preliminary inquiry confirmed US responsibility. The general officer appointment is Hegseth's formal response to that finding, under pressure from allies and human rights organisations.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on Friday March 13 the appointment of a general officer to lead a formal investigation into a deadly US strike on an elementary school in Iran, confirmed by the New York Times. The school struck was the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school in Minab, southern Iran. It was hit on February 28, 2026 — Day 1 of the war. Mangled missile fragments photographed at the site bore the markings of an American cruise missile (NYT, March 9). On March 11, a US preliminary inquiry concluded the United States was responsible for the strike, which resulted in significant civilian casualties including children. Hegseth's appointment of a general officer-level investigator on March 13 is the first formal US military accountability mechanism opened during the Iran war. It comes under pressure from allied governments, Congress, and human rights organisations — and on the same day Hegseth declared the highest-ever number of US strikes on Iran. The investigation scope and timeline were not disclosed. Human rights organisations have documented widespread civilian infrastructure damage across Iran. The Minab school strike became the most high-profile single incident of civilian harm confirmed attributable to the United States.

Actor responses

United StatesNEUTRALSTATEMENT

Hegseth, March 13: A general officer has been appointed to lead an investigation into the strike on an elementary school in Iran. The United States takes all credible allegations of civilian harm seriously.

IranOPPOSINGCONDEMNATION

An investigation by the same military that committed the massacre is not justice. The Americans murdered children in their classrooms. No American general's inquiry will hold the war criminals accountable. Iran demands an independent international tribunal.

NATONEUTRALRESPONSE

Allies welcome the US commitment to investigate the school strike. Accountability for civilian harm is a cornerstone of international humanitarian law. We expect a transparent process and full findings.