Trump blames Iran for girls’ school strike

President Donald Trump on Saturday denied U.S. involvement in a strike that killed more than 165 people at a girls’ elementary school in southern Iran, instead placing the blame on Iran.

On Saturday, when asked aboard Air Force One whether the United States conducted the Feb. 28 attack, Trump responded, without evidence: “No, in my opinion, based on what I saw, it was done by Iran.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, standing next to the president, struck a more cautious tone, saying the government was still “investigating” the attack but adding: “The only party targeting civilians is Iran.”

After Hegseth’s statement, Trump said, “It was done by Iran.”

Trump’s outspoken comments on the strike represent a departure from past White House positions.

On Wednesday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked whether the United States was responsible, to which she replied, “Not that I know of,” adding that the Defense Department was investigating the attack, a position in line with what Hegseth said on Saturday.

The officials’ comments come as satellite images, expert analysis and information released by the US and Israeli militaries suggest that the attack was likely the result of US airstrikes that also hit a nearby compound controlled by the Iranian regime’s Revolutionary Guard.

Democratic lawmakers condemned the attack, which accounted for the highest civilian death toll since the war began, last week, suggesting that responsibility lies with the United States. Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) said Friday X: “More than 100 innocent schoolchildren have died as a result of the illegal U.S. attack on Iran,” reflecting broader criticism from anti-war lawmakers who say the conflict is escalating without sufficient congressional oversight.

Members of Iran’s political leadership have said the United States and Israel are to blame for the attack on the Minab girls’ school. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the school attack “will never be erased from the historical memory of our nation,” while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the attack a “crime” and said it would not go unanswered. Iranian diplomats have also raised the issue at the United Nations, urging international condemnation and investigation.

Credit: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/07/trump-iran-girls-school-strike-00818163

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