U.S. Commander Reports 1 Civilian-Death Incident in 13,600 Iran Airstrikes as Critics Challenge Claim
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 14
U.S. Commander Reports 1 Civilian-Death Incident in 13,600 Iran Airstrikes as Critics Challenge Claim
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 14
One potential mistaken killing in 13,600 U.S. airstrikes is all the military has identified in Iran, Adm. Brad Cooper told the Senate, saying the case remains under investigation.
Feb. 28 produced that sole acknowledged incident: a Tomahawk missile hit an Iranian elementary school, where Iranian officials say at least 175 people—mostly children—were killed.
More than 100 warnings were issued to Iranians about the risk of being used as human shields, Cooper said, arguing his staff had worked proactively to prevent civilian deaths.
Human rights groups and some lawmakers called the account implausible, with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand citing publicly documented strikes on 22 schools and multiple hospitals.
At least 1,700 Iranian civilians have been killed in the war, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, while the Iranian Red Crescent has reported far wider damage to schools and health facilities.
Why does the U.S. military claim only one civilian death incident while evidence points to thousands of Iranian casualties?
With video proof of a U.S. missile hitting a school, why does the military still deny responsibility?
Civilian Deaths Mount in Iran: U.S.-Israeli Strikes, Policy Rollbacks, and the Erosion of International Law
Overview
In early May 2026, controversy erupted over U.S.-Israeli military strikes in Iran, especially the February 28 attacks that caused heavy civilian casualties. Independent investigations, including those by The New York Times, found evidence that U.S. missiles struck civilian sites in Lamerd and Minab, despite official U.S. denials and attempts to blame Iran. The Minab girls' school strike was the deadliest, with at least 175 mostly children killed. Mounting evidence and later military admissions revealed U.S. responsibility, highlighting failures in civilian protection and transparency. These events have raised serious concerns about accountability, international law, and the erosion of U.S. credibility worldwide.