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Pentagon Under Fire for Silence on Iran School Strike

From Jerusalem Post · (6m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Five former US officials have criticized the Pentagon for its lack of public detail regarding a deadly strike on a school in Minab, Iran.
  • The strike on February 28 killed 168 people, including approximately 110 children, according to Iranian officials, and the Pentagon states the incident is under investigation.
  • Critics argue the Pentagon's response deviates from standard procedures for investigating civilian harm, noting unusual opacity given the incident's timeline.

The Pentagon's handling of the Minab school strike, which claimed the lives of 168 people including 110 children, has drawn sharp criticism from former US officials. Speaking to the BBC, these individuals expressed concern over the Department of Defense's unusual silence and lack of transparency weeks after the February 28 incident. This reticence stands in stark contrast to past administrations' commitments to the laws of war and standard investigative protocols for civilian harm mitigation.

Administrations in the past at least demonstrated fidelity, a commitment to the law of war.

— Rachel E. VanLandinghamA retired Judge Advocate General in the US Air Force, commenting on the Pentagon's departure from standard responses in investigating the Minab school strike.

Retired Lt. Col. Rachel E. VanLandingham, a former Judge Advocate General in the US Air Force, highlighted that the current response "strikingly departs from the standard response," emphasizing a past fidelity to the law of war. Similarly, Wes Bryant, a former Pentagon adviser on civilian harm, noted that a formal investigation is typically initiated promptly when civilian harm is identified and US forces may have been present. The unusual opacity, as described by another anonymous former defense official, suggests that the case is not complex enough to warrant such prolonged secrecy.

All I can say is that we're investigating that. We of course never target civilian targets.

— Pete HegsethDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth's statement on March 4 regarding the ongoing investigation into the Minab school strike.

While the Pentagon maintains the incident is under investigation and that the US does not target civilian sites, the lack of public updates fuels speculation and distrust. The article notes initial US media reports suggested American forces might be responsible, but no final conclusion has been shared. President Trump's shifting statements, from accusing Iran to questioning evidence of American involvement, further complicate the narrative. From a US perspective, the scrutiny highlights a potential disconnect between established procedures for accountability and the current administration's approach to sensitive military actions, particularly when civilian casualties are involved.

strikingly departs from the standard response.

— Rachel E. VanLandinghamA retired Judge Advocate General in the US Air Force, describing the Pentagon's current handling of the Minab school strike investigation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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