A preliminary investigation by the US military suggests that a bombing of an Iranian elementary school, which killed over 170 people, was due to a targeting error.
A recent bombing of an elementary school in Minab, Iran, on the 28th of last month resulted in the deaths of over 170 individuals, and preliminary findings from a US military investigation point to a targeting error. According to sources mentioned by the New York Times, the investigation has revealed a high likelihood of US responsibility in the attack. It appears that the Central Command used outdated data provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to formulate coordinates targeting a naval base of the Revolutionary Guard located near the school, failing to account for the fact that the school was built on the former site of the naval base.
Satellite imagery analysis indicates that the school was established between 2013 and 2016, during which time new entries were constructed and the monitoring towers near the school were removed, further complicating the situation. The ongoing investigation is in its preliminary stages, with outstanding questions about why old data was used without verification and whether the DIA possessed more recent information. Investigators are also looking into the role of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) in the verification process.
Additionally, the investigation is exploring the possibility that an artificial intelligence data analysis program error could have led to the school being mistakenly targeted, though officials believe that it is more likely due to human error in data provision rather than a technical malfunction. This tragic incident draws parallels to a past event during the Kosovo War, where a US bombing mistakenly targeted the Chinese embassy in Belgrade due to inadequate database maintenance, highlighting the importance of accurate intelligence in military operations.
