Nearly all Senate Democrats have called for a prompt investigation into airstrikes on a girls’ school in Iran that killed dozens of children.
According to a Reuters report, on Wednesday, March 11, 46 senators sent a letter to the Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth.
In the letter, they asked the department to determine whether U.S. forces were responsible for the strike and to clarify safeguards in place to prevent civilian casualties. The letter stated that the February 28 attack killed many girls aged 7 to 12.
“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,” the letter, signed by 46 senators, said.
The senators asked defense officials to clarify whether American forces conducted the strike and to outline measures in place to prevent civilian sites from being targeted.
They also requested information on whether artificial intelligence tools were used in the targeting process. Lawmakers cited reports indicating that U.S. military investigators believe American forces were likely responsible for the strike during the broader U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iranian targets.
Nearly the entire Democratic caucus signs letter
Every member of the Senate Democratic caucus except John Fetterman of Pennsylvania signed the letter.
In a statement, Fetterman expressed support for the U.S. military and Israel’s broader operation against Iran.
He also called the strike a tragedy and agreed that a full investigation is necessary.
No Republicans joined the letter. Members of President Donald Trump’s party, which holds a 53-seat majority in the Senate, have largely backed the administration’s strategy in the conflict with Iran.
The attack reportedly struck the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school in Minab on February 28. Iranian authorities reported that at least 175 people were killed in the strike, most of them children.
Disputed claims about strike in Iran
Iranian officials have blamed the United States for the attack and released video footage and fragments they claim are from U.S.-made missiles.
On Monday night, the New York Times reported that Iranian state broadcaster IRIB shared images of missile fragments purportedly recovered from the sites of the strikes on the school and a nearby IRGC compound.
The broadcaster shared the images on its Telegram channel with a caption describing them as “the remains of the American missile that landed on the children of Minab school.”
According to the Times, the images show “serial numbers and other details” matching the labeling style used by the Pentagon and its suppliers. However, it remains unclear where the fragments were recovered.
During a press conference on Monday, Trump was asked about the evidence suggesting that the school was struck by a U.S. missile.
“I haven’t seen it… I will say that the Tomahawk, which is one of the most powerful weapons around, is sold and used by other countries. You know that. And whether it’s Iran who also has some Tomahawks… Tomahawk is very generic. It’s sold to other countries, but that’s being investigated right now,” the president said.
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There is no evidence to suggest that Iran is in possession of the advanced U.S.-made cruise missile.
When pressed on why he was the only one suggesting that Iran may have bombed the school, President Trump said:
“Because I just don’t know enough about it. I think it’s something that I was told is under investigation.”
Secretary Pete Hegseth, asked moments later, said the U.S. was still “investigating” the strike, but added, “the only side that targets civilians is Iran.”
After he spoke, Trump offered more speculation about the strike, saying, “We think it’s done by Iran because they’re very inaccurate, you know, with their munitions. They have no accuracy whatsoever. It was done by Iran.”
