The United States military struck a school building in the Iranian city of Ahvaz that intelligence analysts later determined was not being used for military purposes at the time of the attack, killing 14 civilians including at least four children, and has not conducted the standard post-strike intelligence review required under its own rules of engagement, CNN reported exclusively on Thursday.
Three current and former US officials told CNN that analysts at the CIA and the Defense Intelligence Agency had flagged concerns before the strike that the building’s military use could not be confirmed, but CENTCOM proceeded after commanders assessed the structure posed a threat based on signals intelligence and aerial surveillance. The officials said no Battle Damage Assessment has been completed, a requirement under the Law of Armed Conflict and the standing rules of engagement for all strikes causing civilian casualties.
The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of the pace and oversight of US military operations against Iran, which have involved more than 9,000 combat flights since the war began on February 28. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut told CNN the strike was a serious violation and called for a congressional hearing.
CENTCOM declined to comment on the specific strike. A Pentagon spokesperson said all strikes are conducted in accordance with applicable law and the rules of engagement, and that civilian casualties are taken seriously and investigated. Iran’s Foreign Ministry called the attack a war crime and said 31 civilians had been killed, a figure CENTCOM disputed.
