US missile hit military base near Iran school, video analysis shows
US Missile Hit Military Base Near Iran School, Video Analysis Shows
Missile Strike and Casualty Reports
Expert video analysis indicates a US Tomahawk missile struck a military base adjacent to a primary school in southern Iran, resulting in 168 fatalities, including approximately 110 children, according to Iranian authorities. The footage, released by Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency and confirmed as authentic by BBC Verify, captures the missile moments before it hits the site.
Confirming the US Involvement
Analysts examining the video have identified the missile as a US Tomahawk, supporting earlier findings that the area near the school was targeted in a series of strikes. The presence of multiple munitions and the precision of the attack suggest a deliberate US operation, experts say. Neither Israel nor Iran are known to operate Tomahawk missiles, making it unlikely they were responsible for the strike.
Trump’s Allegation and US Response
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump accused Iran of carrying out the attack, claiming their munitions lack accuracy. “We think it was done by Iran because they’re very inaccurate… They have no accuracy whatsoever,” he stated during a press briefing on Air Force One. Meanwhile, CBS News reported that the US initially suspected its own forces might have mistakenly targeted the school during strikes across the southern flank.
Iran’s Blame and Verification Challenges
Iran has pointed fingers at both the US and Israel for the incident, though neither country has publicly admitted or denied responsibility. The US military’s senior officer, Gen Dan Caine, confirmed Tomahawks were fired at Iran’s southern region during early strikes. However, an Israeli source told CBS News the country’s forces were not involved in the attack.
Key Evidence and Analysis
According to BBC Verify, the video shows smoke rising near the school prior to the missile’s detonation, aligning with prior assessments that the school was hit alongside other structures in the IRGC complex. The footage also highlights a medical clinic, reportedly linked to the IRGC navy, located about 200 meters from the school. Bellingcat, an online investigation group, first analyzed the video, identifying the Tomahawk missile in its terminal phase.
Expert Confirmation
Wes Bryant, a former US Air Force national security analyst, confirmed the missile’s identity. A senior McKenzie Intelligence Services analyst added that the pattern of multiple strikes on the IRGC compound points to a “deliberate and precise” US operation. NR Jenzen Jones, director of Armament Research Services, noted that Iranian missiles are unlikely to cause the extensive damage observed due to their smaller warheads.
Internet Blackout Hinders Independent Checks
An ongoing internet blackout in Iran has limited independent verification of the incident details. Restrictions on journalists’ ability to report freely have further complicated efforts to confirm the exact events that unfolded in Minab on 28 February.