Trump flatly blamed Iran for the airstrike that killed 165 girls at a school, but evidence says otherwise

President Trump on Saturday denied any U.S. involvement in an airstrike that killed more than 165 people, mostly girls, at an elementary school in southern Iran. He placed the blame on Iran, despite other information pointing in a different direction.

When asked aboard Air Force One about the February 28 strike, Trump was direct. “No, in my opinion, based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran,” he said, offering no evidence to support the claim. The White House had previously taken a softer position, just last Wednesday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “Not that I know of,” when asked about U.S. responsibility, adding that the Department of Defense was still looking into it.

According to Politico, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was with Trump, said the government is still “investigating” the attack, but added, “The only side that targets civilians is Iran.” Trump then repeated, “It was done by Iran.”

Satellite images and expert analysis point toward U.S. airstrikes, contradicting Trump’s claim

However, satellite images, expert analysis, and details released by the U.S. and Israeli militaries all suggest the strike was likely the result of U.S. airstrikes. Reports have also raised concerns about how AI accelerated the Iran strikes beyond normal speed, with the school attack being one of the deadliest outcomes. Those strikes are also said to have hit a nearby compound controlled by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

This incident has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Many argue that the U.S. bears responsibility for what is the highest reported civilian death toll since the conflict began last week. Representative Delia Ramirez, a Democrat from Illinois, posted on social media, “More than 100 innocent school children are dead because of the U.S.’s unlawful attack of Iran.”

Anti-war lawmakers have also raised concerns that the conflict is growing without proper congressional oversight. The U.S. military’s internal probe into civilian casualties has surfaced findings that are alarming many in Washington. But the Trump administration has remained steadfast in their commitment to the war.

Iran’s leadership has directly blamed both the U.S. and Israel for the attack on the Minab girls’ school. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the attack would “never be erased from the historical memory of our nation.” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the bombing a “crime” and warned it would not go unanswered. Iranian diplomats have taken the matter to the United Nations, pushing for international condemnation and a full investigation into the strike.