New video footage appears to indicate a U.S. Airstrike targeting a building at an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval base adjacent to a primary school in Minab, Iran, where Iranian state media reports more than 160 schoolgirls were killed on February 28. The incident has sparked international concern and scrutiny of the recent escalation in regional conflict.
The video, released by Iran’s semi-official Mehr News agency, is the first to show missiles impacting the area and adds to a growing body of evidence that appears to contradict recent claims by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has attributed blame to Iran.
Footage, recorded from a nearby construction site, shows a munition consistent with a U.S. Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) – BGM or UGM-109 – before impacting a location within the IRGC base. The U.S. Navy operates the Tomahawk missile, launching it from its surface ships, and submarines. Experts confirm that Israel does not operate the Tomahawk missile.
As the camera pans to the right, a large plume of smoke is visible rising from the direction of the Shajareye Tayyiba primary school in Minab. Dozens of people can be seen fleeing the area.
Sam Lair, an associate researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS), told CNN that the munition in the video is consistent with a U.S. Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM):
“First, it matches the visual characteristics of a TLAM – the cruciform shape with mid-mounted wings and a tail assembly at the rear. Second, the video was taken approximately 250 meters from the probable impact point. That means the munition has to be large. This rules out other munitions in the U.S. Arsenal with similar visual characteristics, such as the GBU-69B.”
Other weapons experts consulted by CNN concurred with this assessment, adding that TLAMs are often used in initial salvos before achieving air superiority. While the exact building struck remains unknown, CNN analysis suggests the impact occurred within or immediately adjacent to a medical clinic operated by the IRGC on the base.
Investigations by CNN and other news organizations last week suggested the U.S. Was likely responsible for the strike. Satellite imagery, geolocated videos, public statements from U.S. Officials, and expert analysis of munitions suggest the school was impacted around the same time as a U.S. Strike against a nearby IRGC naval base. This development underscores growing regional tensions following the recent attacks.
The U.S. Department of Defense did not immediately respond to questions about the use of a Tomahawk missile on Sunday. When previously asked about the strikes, U.S. Central Command told CNN that “it would be inappropriate to comment given the incident is under investigation.”
The new video shows smoke in the vicinity at the time of the attack, suggesting nearby sites may also have been targeted shortly before. “The geolocated video shows a cruise missile impacting one of the buildings located within the base complex,” said Lair. He added that while the video does not show the moment of impact at the school, “it was likely part of the same attack and would have been accompanied by other similar cruise missiles.”
CNN continues efforts to obtain images of debris from the munition that impacted the school. Such evidence is key to determining responsibility for an attack, and without it, assessments cannot be conclusive.
On Saturday, Trump blamed Iran for the attack in Minab, contradicting CNN’s analysis and reporting from other news organizations.
“According to what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. Trump also characterized Iranian munitions as “very inaccurate.”
When asked by a reporter if that was true, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said: “We are certainly investigating. But the only side that attacks civilians is Iran.”
The White House has not previously ruled out the possibility that U.S. Military personnel carried out the strike. Iranian state media has blamed the U.S. For the attack on the school in Minab. The announcement could influence future diplomatic talks and further escalate tensions in the region.
