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US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Adm. Brad Cooper testified before Congress on Tuesday that the investigation into the destruction of a girls' school in Minab, Iran, on the first day of the recent conflict is "complex," given that the school was located on an active Iranian cruise missile site. The admission came amid mounting pressure from lawmakers and media reports suggesting US forces were responsible for the attack.

Coverage Comparison

Two distinct accounts of the testimony emerged, reflecting divergent emphases. The Jerusalem Post, citing Reuters, framed the testimony as a description of a complicated investigation, noting that an initial, internal US military probe had indicated US forces were likely responsible for the school's destruction, and that the Pentagon had since elevated the inquiry. The South China Morning Post, by contrast, characterized Cooper's remarks as an avoidance of responsibility, highlighting that the US has "repeatedly avoided assuming responsibility for the tragedy" and quoting Democratic Rep. Adam Smith's sharp rebuke.

Both outlets agreed on the core fact: the school was situated on an active Iranian cruise missile base, a detail that Cooper said makes the investigation more challenging than a typical strike.

Key Claims

  • School on active missile site: Adm. Brad Cooper told the House Armed Services Committee that the school was located on an active Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) cruise missile base, complicating the investigation. This was reported by both the Jerusalem Post and the South China Morning Post.
  • US responsibility suggested: Reuters first reported that an initial, internal US military investigation showed US forces were likely responsible for the destruction of the school, according to the Jerusalem Post. The New York Times and CNN have also reported that the school was hit by a US Tomahawk cruise missile, and that the US was responsible, per the South China Morning Post. Cooper did not confirm or deny responsibility in the testimony covered.
  • Casualty figures vary: The Jerusalem Post, citing Iranian officials, reported that 168 children, mostly girls, were killed on February 28. The South China Morning Post, citing Iranian state media, provided a more detailed breakdown: 73 boys, 47 girls, 26 teachers, seven parents, a school bus driver, and another adult, totaling 155 deaths. The discrepancy in figures was not addressed by either source.
  • Broader context: Cooper also stated that Iran has hanged dozens of people since the start of the ceasefire, and has targeted civilians in the Middle East thousands of times, according to the Jerusalem Post. These claims were not elaborated upon in either report.

Perspectives

US military and administration view: Adm. Cooper described the investigation as complex due to the school's location on an active military site. He promised to share the results of the investigation when complete, but did not, in the testimony covered, explicitly acknowledge US responsibility. An elevated Pentagon probe is now underway, according to Reuters.

Congressional oversight view: Rep. Adam Smith, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, expressed frustration, saying that in the past, US mistakes have been "quickly acknowledged" and that Cooper's refusal to accept responsibility was tantamount to a "no" on accountability. His comments were reported by the South China Morning Post.

Iranian official view: Iranian officials and state media have provided casualty figures and descriptions of the attack, though neither source includes direct quotes from Iranian authorities in the excerpts provided. The attack killed at least 155 people, including many children, according to Iranian state media.

Media reporting: Both The New York Times and CNN have reported that the US was responsible for the attack, specifically citing the use of a Tomahawk cruise missile, a weapon not in Iran's arsenal. These reports were referenced by the South China Morning Post and have contributed to public scrutiny of the investigation.