Trump says he ‘doesn’t know enough’ about claim Iran used Tomahawk missile in school strike

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Monday, March 9, said he does not have enough information to confirm who carried out the deadly February 28 strike on an elementary school in Minab, Iran, after previously suggesting that Iran may have been responsible for the attack. 

The bombing killed more than 160 people, including many children, and occurred near an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps naval base on the same day US missile strikes targeted the facility.

The incident has drawn intense scrutiny as investigators continue to determine whether the strike was carried out by Iranian forces or was linked to the broader military operations in the region.

Trump’s remarks came as questions mounted about his earlier claims that Iran could have used a Tomahawk cruise missile in the attack.

Trump pressed on Iran Tomahawk missile claim

During a press conference, a reporter pointed out that Trump was the only official in his administration publicly suggesting Iran may have carried out the school strike using a Tomahawk missile, noting that even Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had declined to make that claim when asked earlier.

When asked why he was the only official in his administration suggesting that Iran may have obtained a Tomahawk missile and used it to bomb its own elementary school on the first day of the war, Trump responded by saying the matter remained under investigation and that he did not yet have sufficient information about the attack. 

"Because I just don't know enough about it. I think it's something that I was told is under investigation. But tomahawks are used by others, as you know. Numerous other nations have tomahawks. They buy them from us.”

“But I will certainly, whatever the report shows, I'm willing to live with that report.”

Trump earlier blamed Iran for school bombing

President Donald Trump told reporters on Saturday, March 7, that he believed the deadly bombing at a girls’ primary school in southern Iran was carried out by Iran itself, though he did not provide evidence for the claim.

The bombing occurred on February 28, the same day missile strikes began in the region. Reports said at least 175 schoolgirls were killed and many others injured in the attack. Most of the victims were between seven and 12 years old.

Much of the school building was destroyed while classes were taking place, causing widespread devastation across the campus and a large number of casualties among the students.

Trump made the remarks while traveling to Florida after attending the dignified transfer of six US soldiers who were killed in an Iranian strike in Kuwait on March 1.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he believed Iran was responsible for the bombing. "In my opinion, based on what I've seen, that was done by Iran..."

"We think it was done by Iran, because they're very inaccurate with their munitions, they have no accuracy whatsoever, it was done by Iran," Trump said.

When reporters asked whether the claim had been confirmed, Hegseth said the Pentagon was still examining the incident. He said the department was "investigating," and added that "the only side that targets civilians is Iran."

Trump suggests Iran could have Tomahawk missiles

Trump also suggested that Iran could possess Tomahawk missiles when asked about the weapon possibly used in the strike.

“Well, I haven’t seen it, and I will say that the Tomahawk, which is one of the most powerful weapons around, is used by, you know, is sold and used by other countries. You know that. And whether it’s Iran, who also has some Tomahawks,” Trump said.

However, Trump did not present evidence to support the claim that Iran has Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Tomahawk missiles have a range of about 1,000 miles and are typically launched from US Navy warships and submarines. The weapons are produced by Raytheon and are widely used by the US military.