Video Footage Challenges Trump Claim, Appears To Show US Airstrike On Iranian Base Adjacent To Minab School: Reports

Washington: In a new video that is doing rounds in the internet, appears to show US Tomahawk cruise missiles striking an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) facility in the Iranian city of Minab on February 28, according to Iranian news reports.

What is in the video?

According to reports, in the video the missile is seen striking near an elementary school in the southern Iranian town of Minab, where at least 168 people were reportedly killed, according to Iranian news agency Mehr.

In the video, the US Tomahawk cruise missiles can be seen striking a naval base located beside the school. 

The missile strike reportedly took place on February 28 and the clip was filmed from a construction site opposite the base operated by IRGC, according to The New York Times.

What happen in the incident?

After the missile hit the base facility, large flames of smoke and debris rise into the air. The clip also shows dust and smoke rising from the area which is around the school. 

As per the satellite images, during the attack several other buildings inside the naval base were also struck.

What are Tomahawk missiles?

Tomahawk missiles are long-range precision-guided weapons capable of travelling about 1,000 miles. 

As per the US Department of Defense reports, the missiles are programmed with a flight path before launch and guide themselves to their target. Each missile is around 20 feet long with a wingspan of about eight and a half feet and carries a warhead with explosive power roughly equal to 300 pounds of TNT.

What did Trump say?

US President Donald Trump earlier denied that American forces intentionally targeted the school. 

While replying to the question whether the United States had bombed the school, Trump said, “No. In my opinion and based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran."

"We think it was done by Iran. Because they are very inaccurate, as you know, with their munitions. They have no accuracy whatsoever," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that "the Pentagon was investigating the reports" but also insisted that “the only side that targets civilians is Iran.”