World News
Up to 175 Killed in Iran School Strike; US Probe Points to Targeting Error
A preliminary investigation by the United States military has reportedly concluded that outdated intelligence data may have led to a deadly missile strike on a school in Minab, Iran, killing up to 175 people.
A preliminary investigation by the United States military has reportedly concluded that outdated intelligence data may have led to a deadly missile strike on a school in Minab, Iran, killing up to 175 people.
According to a report by The New York Times, the strike was likely the result of a targeting mistake rather than an intentional attack on a civilian location. The investigation found that officers at US Central Command used outdated information provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency while generating target coordinates.
Target Was Meant for Nearby Military Site
The Tomahawk missile was originally aimed at an Iranian military base located near the Shajarah Tayyebeh Elementary School building. The school complex had previously been associated with the military facility, which may have contributed to the confusion in the targeting data.
However, investigators believe the intelligence used to plan the strike did not reflect recent changes in the area, potentially leading to the tragic mistake.
Despite the findings, US military officials have stressed that the investigation is still in its early stages. Several key questions remain unanswered, including why the outdated data was not rechecked before the strike was authorized.
Role of AI in Modern Warfare Under Scrutiny
The incident has also sparked debate over the growing reliance on artificial intelligence in modern warfare.
Reports from The Washington Post and The Guardian say the US military uses Claude, an AI model developed by Anthropic, through its partnership with war-technology company Palantir. The system is integrated into Palantir’s Maven Smart System, which helps military analysts identify and track targets in real time.
During the ongoing conflict with Iran, advanced technology has played a significant role in military operations. In fact, US forces reportedly struck nearly 1,000 targets in Iran within a 24-hour period using technology-assisted targeting systems.
Some experts believe the AI-driven systems may not have accounted for changes in the school’s location or status, which could have contributed to the fatal miscalculation.
US Denies Targeting Civilians
The United States has maintained that it does not deliberately target civilian locations and has pledged to fully investigate the incident.
US President Donald Trump suggested that Iranian forces themselves may have been responsible for the damage, claiming that Iran’s munitions are often inaccurate.
The statement has further intensified tensions between the two nations.
Iran Accuses US of War Crime
Iran has strongly condemned the strike, calling it a “barbaric attack” and accusing Washington of committing a war crime.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei shared footage of the strike on social media platform X and described the incident as a “double-tap American Tomahawk missile attack” that killed dozens of children.
He called it an “unforgivable war crime that must not go unpunished.”
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi released drone images showing what he described as mass graves for the victims.
In a post criticizing the United States, he said the tragedy showed the reality behind promises of “rescue” made during the conflict.
Global Concern Growing
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns about the risks of technology-driven warfare. As investigations continue, the Minab tragedy is likely to raise difficult questions about accountability, intelligence verification, and the role of artificial intelligence in modern military operations.
