‘Maybe it wasn’t our missile’: Trump casts doubt on US role in Minab school strike that killed scores

US President Donald Trump has questioned allegations that the United States was responsible for a missile strike on a school in Iran's Minab region, saying, “Maybe it wasn’t our missile,” as controversy grows over an attack that reportedly left scores of people dead.

The strike, which Iranian authorities and local media have blamed on foreign military action, has triggered widespread condemnation and renewed concerns about civilian casualties in the escalating regional conflict. Reports indicate that the targeted site included a school building where children and staff were present at the time of the explosion.

Speaking to reporters, Trump stopped short of accepting responsibility for the attack and suggested that investigations were still needed to determine exactly who launched the missile. “A lot of things are being said right now. Maybe it wasn’t our missile. We’ll have to see what the facts show,” he said.

The comments mark the latest development in an increasingly tense exchange between Washington and Tehran. Iranian officials have accused the United States of carrying out the strike and demanded accountability, while also calling for an international inquiry into the incident.

According to preliminary reports, dozens of people were killed or injured in the blast, though casualty figures have varied across sources. Emergency crews were deployed to the area following the attack, and images circulating online showed significant damage to nearby structures.

Human rights groups and international observers have urged an independent investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the strike. Several organizations have stressed that attacks on schools and other civilian infrastructure could constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law if civilians were deliberately targeted or if adequate precautions were not taken.

The White House has not released detailed information regarding military operations in the area at the time of the incident. US defense officials have similarly refrained from publicly confirming any involvement, citing ongoing security assessments.

The Minab strike comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions across the Middle East, where military confrontations, missile exchanges and proxy conflicts have raised fears of a broader regional escalation. Analysts warn that disputed incidents involving civilian casualties can quickly inflame diplomatic tensions and complicate efforts to de-escalate conflicts.

Iran has vowed to continue pursuing answers regarding the attack, while international bodies are expected to monitor developments closely. Calls for transparency have intensified as families of victims seek clarity over who was responsible and whether the strike could have been prevented.

As investigations continue, the incident has become a flashpoint in the wider debate over military accountability and civilian protection in conflict zones. Trump's remarks are likely to fuel further discussion over the role of US forces in the region and the challenges of establishing responsibility in modern warfare.