Girls school strike in Iran may be linked to regional military strikes, satellite images show

Iranian officials reported a strike on a girls' school in southern Iran with large loss of life, and satellite and open-source imagery confirm damage to the school and nearby compound. U.S. and other officials say investigations into who carried out the strike are ongoing.

Iranian officials reported that a strike hit a girls' school in southern Iran and caused heavy casualties. Graphic images circulated on social media and were republished by state outlets, though some news organizations have limited distribution of those images. Open-source investigators and commercial satellite imagery have since shown damage at the school and nearby facilities that appear to be part of a larger compound. U.S. and other officials have said investigations are ongoing as questions remain about responsibility for the strike. Key reported details: - Iranian authorities said the strike killed a large number of people, and reported figures cited by some outlets reached as high as 175; independent verification of the death toll and identities was not available in the reporting. - Open-source investigators and satellite imagery from commercial providers confirmed damage to the school and buildings in the adjacent compound. - Reuters and the Wall Street Journal reported that unnamed U.S. sources said U.S. military investigators believe it is "likely" U.S. forces struck the school; U.S. officials have called the investigation ongoing and disputed premature conclusions. - Israeli officials said they were not aware of an attack in the area and said they were looking into what happened; U.S. Central Command declined to comment publicly and senior U.S. officials have noted strikes in the wider southern region. Summary: Officials in Iran have reported a deadly strike on a girls' school in southern Iran and state and open-source imagery show physical damage to the site and nearby compound. Multiple news organizations have reported unnamed U.S. sources saying U.S. investigators view it as likely U.S. forces were involved, while U.S. and other officials say inquiries are ongoing and no final conclusions have been announced.