U.S. Airstrike Hits Iranian Girls' School, Killing 175

Outdated intelligence data may have led to the tragic mistake, according to multiple reports.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:53pm

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A U.S. airstrike on an elementary school in southern Iran has killed around 175 people, mostly young girls between the ages of 7 and 12. The strike, which utilized outdated intelligence from the Defense Intelligence Agency, appears to have mistakenly targeted the Shajarah Tayyebeh school instead of an adjacent Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps compound. The Pentagon is conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident, which has drawn severe scrutiny and calls for accountability from lawmakers.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the devastating consequences that can result from relying on outdated or faulty intelligence data, especially when it comes to military operations that put civilian lives at risk. The attack on the girls' school has sparked outrage and renewed debates around the need for greater oversight and accountability in U.S. military decision-making.

The details

According to multiple reports, the U.S. airstrike that hit the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school in southern Iran was based on outdated intelligence from the Defense Intelligence Agency. The target coordinates used by U.S. Central Command (Centcom) were found to be inaccurate, leading to the school being mistakenly identified as a legitimate military target. Preliminary findings from the ongoing Pentagon investigation indicate that a Tomahawk missile was used in the strike.

  • The airstrike occurred following the start of a U.S. military operation against Iran.
  • The Pentagon investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The players

U.S. Central Command (Centcom)

The unified combatant command of the United States Armed Forces responsible for the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia.

Defense Intelligence Agency

A combat support agency within the United States Department of Defense that provides military intelligence to senior policymakers, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and combatant commands.

President Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who initially claimed without evidence that Iran struck the school, and later said Iran used the Tomahawk missile found at the site.

Senator Chuck Schumer

The Senate Minority Leader who called Trump's claim about Iran striking the school 'beyond asinine'.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

A Democratic senator who called for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to resign over the strike on the Iranian girls' school.

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What they’re saying

“The results of this school attack are horrific. The majority of those killed in the strikes were girls between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. Neither the United States nor the Israeli Government has yet taken responsibility for this attack.”

— Group of Democratic Senators

“I want to know what Secretary Hegseth knew about this targeting. I don't think we have had the oversight and accountability that we are entitled to.”

— Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

What’s next

The Pentagon's ongoing investigation into the airstrike is expected to provide more details on how the tragic mistake occurred and what steps will be taken to ensure greater accountability and oversight in future military operations.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining accurate and up-to-date intelligence data, as well as the need for robust safeguards and decision-making processes to prevent such catastrophic errors from occurring, especially when civilian lives are at stake.