A Look at Evidence Linking U.S. to Iranian School Bombing
What evidence is linking the United States to an Iranian school bombing? Officials and investigators are examining new claims as questions grow about the attack.
GRAPHIC WARNING: A few parts of the video contain disturbing images of war. Please review all material before sharing with your classroom.
The U.S. is investigating an explosion at a school next to an Iranian navy base in the city of Minab. Iran says the strike killed more than 150 people, mostly schoolgirls. A U.S. official briefed on the initial review tells PBS News that the strike was likely American. Nick Schifrin looks at videos and satellite images and speaks to experts on what appears to be the deadliest strike of the war.
View the transcript of the story.
Warm-Up Questions
- Who is Master Sergeant Wes Bryant (Ret.), and what is his background?
- Where was the Minab girls elementary school located?
- What has been the Trump administration's reaction to the U.S. being responsible for the bombing, including President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth?
- How have DOGE's (Department of Government Efficiency) cuts under the Trump administration affected the Pentagon's office dedicated to preventing civilian casualties?
- Why does Bryant say it was important for him to speak out at this time?
Essential Questions
Read the following quote by Master Sgt. Wes Bryant (Ret.): "The principles of restraint, of adherence to international law, of lessening human suffering when we do have to go to war, of the protection of civilians, these are the ideals and principles that I came up with as primary, as foundational for what we were, what we embodied as American war fighters.
They hold up the values of the American people. And that's what separates us from those we hold as our enemies."
- Why is it important to follow principles of restraint and international law when engaging in war or conflict?
- Do you think the U.S. is holding up American values in its war against Iran? Explain.
Media literacy: What are the different ways News Hour reporters have referred to the Minab school girls strike in this story, including strike, bombing, explosion? Are these terms synonyms? Is one term more accurate than another?
What Students Can Do
Learn more about the role of international law as it relates to civilian casualties during wartime.
Listen to this NPR story that came out in June, 23, 2025, when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran, What's the role of international law in times of war? (Be sure to conduct additional research, or "lateral reading", from a couple other sources on this subject.)
Matthias Goldmann, chair of international law at EBS Law School in Germany states, "Under international law, states are prohibited from using military force against each other except if the Security Council authorizes such action. The only exemption is self-defense. Now the question is, is it possible to defend yourself against a strike that you think might happen in the future? And the conditions when that is permissible are quite narrow."
- What body is the Security Council a part of?
- When did the United Nations come into existence?
- Why does Goldmann maintain all parties were violating international law?
- What happens when a country does not follow international law? What do you think should happen when a country is not following international law and strikes civilian targets?
Lesson Plans on Global Politics
Find more resources on global politics and how they relate to your students with our free collection of preK-12 lesson plans and teaching resources.
Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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