Scott Jennings defends Pete Hegseth after Iran school strike: ‘We do not target civilians’

WASHINGTON, DC: Republican strategist Scott Jennings voiced his backing for War Secretary Pete Hegseth, stressing that Americans should understand a key distinction between the US and its opponents: the US government and military do not intentionally target civilians.

Jennings said that while enemy forces deliberately attack civilian areas, military operations may sometimes result in casualties, but harming noncombatants is never the goal.

In an interview, Hegseth echoed this message, saying the US never targets civilians. His comments come amid reports that a US-linked strike on an Iranian girls’ school on February 28 killed 168 people, many of them children, raising concerns about civilian casualties in military actions.

Scott Jennings defends Pete Hegseth on civilian targeting claims

During an interview on CNN’s 'NewsNight with Abby Phillip', Jennings shared a short clip backing the war secretary, as President Donald Trump downplayed claims that Iran was responsible for a recent school strike.

Jennings said, "I think the most important thing Hegseth said, and all Americans need to know and understand this, the difference between us and the enemy, we do not target civilians."

He added that war is never perfect and that casualties can occur. Jennings said, "When it happens, and it will happen in war, it is tragic, and it is not meant to be. The enemy targets civilians. They hide behind civilians. They fund people who set up bases in hospitals so that civilians are in the way. That's not what we do."

He emphasized the need for transparency, stating, "An investigation needs to occur. All the truth needs to be told. And we will give transparency to the American people. But there are two parts of this war: our part and the enemy. The enemy targets civilians. Look what they're doing all over the region, firing missiles intermittently."

Pete Hegseth addresses Iranian girls’ school strike controversy

In a '60 Minutes' interview with CBS News chief correspondent Matt Gutman, Hegseth discussed the situation in Iran, global political shifts, and potential next steps for Trump. When asked about the missile strike in Iran, he said the matter is under investigation but offered no further details.

He also stressed that “no other country takes as many precautions to ensure the US is not targeting civilians.” Hegseth added that the Pentagon is looking into the strikes, though he did not specify which office is handling the review.

The missile strike also hit an elementary school during the initial hours of the operation. On the first day of the strike, one US missile destroyed the school, which was located next to an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps base.

Open-source video appears to show a Tomahawk missile heading toward the school.