U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Friday, March 14, 2026, that the U.S. military has initiated a comprehensive investigation into a deadly strike on an elementary school in Iran. The incident occurred last month in the city of Karaj, resulting in significant civilian casualties, according to Iranian state media.
Former President Donald Trump had publicly attributed the strike to Iran's own air defenses in a social media post, a claim that Iranian officials have repeatedly denied, blaming the United States. Secretary Hegseth's announcement appears to be a tacit acknowledgment of the need for a formal U.S. inquiry into the event, which has heightened tensions.
The Pentagon has not yet released preliminary findings from the investigation. International observers, including the United Nations, have called for transparency and accountability regarding the circumstances of the strike.
