Rubio Denies US Would Target Schools After Iran Reports 160+ Deaths

Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded to Iranian claims that over 160 people died in a strike on a girls' school, stating American forces would never intentionally attack educational facilities. The Pentagon says it's investigating reports of civilian casualties from weekend military operations. International organizations have condemned the alleged attack as a potential war crime.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has responded to Iranian allegations that more than 160 people were killed when a girls’ elementary school was struck during weekend military operations between the United States, Israel, and Iran.

Iranian state media claimed the deadly incident occurred at a school in Minab, a town in southern Iran, on Saturday during the opening day of coordinated U.S. and Israeli military action against Iran. The reported casualties would make it the most lethal single event in the current conflict.

When questioned by reporters Monday about the alleged school strike, Rubio emphasized that American military policy prohibits such attacks. “The United States would not deliberately target a school,” Rubio stated, adding that “The Department of War would be investigating that if that was our strike, and I would refer your question to them.”

Rubio acknowledged the severity of the allegations while noting the lack of confirmed details. “It will be very tragic, but I can’t speak to the details behind it because I just don’t have it. It will be a tragic outcome if it’s happened. I don’t have the details as to what led to it but what is clear is that the United States will not deliberately target a school,” he explained.

The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command have not provided official statements regarding the specific incident. However, Central Command informed media organizations over the weekend that it was “looking into” reports concerning “civilian harm resulting from ongoing military operations.”

The alleged attack has drawn sharp criticism from international figures and organizations. Both UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural and educational agency, and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Malala Yousafzai have denounced the reported strike. Under international humanitarian law, intentional attacks on schools, hospitals, and other civilian infrastructure constitute war crimes.

U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Rosemary DiCarlo confirmed Monday that she was aware of the Iranian reports regarding the deaths and noted that American officials have indicated they are examining the claims.

Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon, when asked about the strike that Iranian media attributed to both Israel and the United States, said he had encountered varying accounts of the incident, including reports suggesting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was responsible for targeting the school.

Reuters has been unable to verify the reports independently.

The current air campaign by U.S. and Israeli forces against Iran commenced Saturday with strikes on Tehran and has expanded as Iran has launched retaliatory attacks.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed during the weekend operations. President Donald Trump has indicated the military campaign may continue for several weeks.