The Minab Attack: Did the United States Commit a War Crime in Iran?

It has not yet been definitively established why exactly the attack occurred, or who is responsible for it. The Iranian regime has accused the Americans of firing on the school. US President Donald Trump initially suggested the Iranians themselves were behind the strike, something experts consider extremely unlikely. He later announced an investigation, the results of which are still pending. This week, Trump said no one carried out the attack intentionally. Investigations, he said, are still ongoing. The conclusion that the US and Israel violated international law with their airstrikes against Iran is clear from the perspective of many legal experts. But the attack in Minab raises an additional question: Did the US military commit a war crime? DER SPIEGEL relies on support from its readers. To enjoy the rest of this story, please consider signing up for a subscription to The German View, our English-language channel on Substack. The article can be found here and our Substack channel can be found here . Alternatively, you can sign up for a SPIEGEL+ subscription below. A DER SPIEGEL team has reconstructed the events of February 28. Our reporters reviewed and verified videos and images through geolocation in addition to analyzing Iranian sources, including media reports, online portals and the websites of institutions and state-affiliated organizations. Reporting from inside Iran is virtually impossible, since DER SPIEGEL journalists – like those of many other outlets – are unable to obtain visas. Sweeping internet restrictions continue to affect the flow of information. Phone calls are frequently monitored.