National News – Five former United States officials, including a former military legal adviser, have criticised the Pentagon for remaining largely silent over a controversial missile strike on a school in Minab, Iran, earlier this year.

The incident, which occurred on February 28 during the early phase of the US-Israeli war with Iran, reportedly killed 168 people, including about 110 children.

The officials argue that the lack of detailed public explanation from Washington raises serious questions about transparency, accountability, and adherence to the laws of war.

The strike is said to have involved a missile hitting a primary school adjacent to an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps facility.

US media reports suggested a Tomahawk missile may have struck the target area, possibly due to outdated coordinates, though officials have not confirmed operational details.

Video evidence reviewed by outlets showed heavy smoke and destruction at the site.

Since the incident, the Pentagon has repeatedly stated that an investigation is ongoing but has avoided confirming whether US forces were responsible.

Defence officials maintain that civilian protection is a priority, while political leaders, including former President Donald Trump, made conflicting public comments, sometimes blaming Iran without presenting evidence.

Former defence and legal officials argue this response contrasts sharply with previous US military incidents in Afghanistan and Iraq, where acknowledgements of civilian harm were issued within days or weeks.

They say the current silence is unusual and undermines established accountability practices.

Analysts suggest the delay could reflect political sensitivity, internal disagreement, or concerns about operational disclosure during an active conflict.

Others warn that prolonged ambiguity risks weakening trust in military reporting standards and humanitarian law compliance.

In Nigeria and Africa, the report has sparked renewed debate on global military accountability, especially among civil society observers who point to past civilian casualties in conflict zones.

Human rights advocates stress that transparency in such cases is essential to prevent recurrence and maintain international credibility.

With investigations still pending, pressure continues to mount on the Pentagon and US Congress to clarify what happened in Minab and whether the strike was intentional or a tragic targeting error.