U.S. intelligence investigators have reportedly concluded that American forces were responsible for the strike on Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school in Minab, Iran, that killed up to 175 people on the first day of the war, the Guardian reported on March 17.
The strike on February 28 hit the girls’ school while classes were in session. Most of the dead were children. It became the single deadliest civilian incident of the war and drew immediate international condemnation.
A Strike Near a Naval Base
A New York Times analysis published earlier in March found that the school was located adjacent to a naval base in southern Iran that was targeted during the opening hours of the U.S.-Israeli campaign. The investigation suggested the school strike was part of that broader attack on the naval facility.
The Independent reported that the targeting may have relied on outdated intelligence and AI-assisted targeting systems, raising questions about the role of automated tools in selecting strike coordinates during the opening salvo.
Amnesty International conducted its own investigation and concluded the strike was “unlawful and indiscriminate.” The human rights organization said at least 168 people were killed, including more than 100 children, and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
Black Rain Over Tehran
On the same day, residents of Tehran continued to describe “black rain” falling over the capital, a phenomenon first reported on March 8 after Israeli strikes hit fuel depots on the outskirts of the city. The World Health Organization warned that toxic pollutants from burning oil infrastructure could cause severe health effects, particularly for children, older people, and those with respiratory conditions.
Iran’s Ministry of Culture reported that airstrikes had damaged historic buildings in Isfahan, including Ali Qapu Palace, Chehel Sotoun, and the Jameh Mosque. The sites had been flying blue flags to signal their protected status under international law.
Ali Larijani Reported Killed
Israeli officials said Ali Larijani, a senior Iranian security figure and former parliament speaker, was killed in an airstrike. Iran did not immediately confirm the report. If confirmed, Larijani would be among the highest-ranking officials killed since the war began, joining Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several top military commanders.
The death toll continued to climb. By March 17, more than 1,500 Iranians had been killed according to Iranian state media. More than 40,000 civilian buildings, including 10,000 homes, had been damaged in the first two weeks.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society said it had received 70,000 calls from people seeking mental health support since the start of the bombing.