America believed to be behind attack on Iranian educational institution, reports The New York Times

The United States is most likely responsible for a strike that reportedly killed scores of people at an elementary school in southern Iran, according to a New York Times investigation.

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The February 28 strike hit an elementary school in the Iranian town of Minab and killed at least 150 people, according to Iranian officials.

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Neither Israel nor the United States has claimed responsibility for the attack, which was in close proximity to sites controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

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The US Department of Defence has said it is investigating the incident, while the New York Times reported that US military statements indicate forces were attacking naval targets near the Strait of Hormuz.

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These statements suggest that US forces were most likely to have carried out the strike, as an IRGC base is located near the Strait of Hormuz.

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An analysis of social media posts and photos and videos from witnesses indicated that the Shajare Tayyebeh elementary school was struck at the same time as a Revolutionary Guards’ naval base site.

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Two unidentified US officials told Reuters that military investigators believe it is likely that US forces were responsible for the strike.

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A map presented by General Dan Caine, the top US military officer, indicated that an area including Minab had been targeted by strikes in the first 100 hours of the operation.

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Caine noted that Israel had mainly been operating further north in Iran, according to the Times.

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The school was at one point part of the IRGC’s naval base, according to satellite images from 2013 reviewed by the Times.

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However, historical satellite imagery shows the structure bears the hallmarks of a school, including a sports field and other recreational areas that were added over time.

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Beth Van Schaack, a former State Department official, said that given the U.S.’s intelligence capabilities, they should have known that a school was in the vicinity.

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The Norway-based rights group Hengaw said the school was holding its morning session at the time of the attack and reportedly had about 170 students present.

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt replied “Not that we know of” when asked on Wednesday whether the United States was involved in the strike.