Pentagon officials plan to delay releasing an internal report on the deadly U.S. airstrike on a school in Minab, Iran until after the November midterm elections, according to sources familiar with the matter. Advisers to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth communicated this timeline to Pentagon personnel, citing the need to avoid political fallout during the election period. The strike on Shajarah Tayyebeh Elementary School killed over 150 people, including at least 123 children, making it the deadliest U.S. military targeting error involving child casualties in the 21st century.
Investigators found flawed intelligence, outdated imagery, and overreliance on AI contributed to the attack, per a prior Bloomberg investigation. Although the probe began in March and is reportedly complete, no final disclosure timeline has been set. Pentagon officials state the investigation remains ongoing with no updates to announce. The delay has drawn criticism from lawmakers, including Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who called it "disgraceful" and demanded transparency.
Legislative efforts are underway to compel earlier release, with provisions in both House and Senate defense bills requiring submission within 30 days of completion. Centcom is hosting a civilian-harm mitigation symposium in Tampa, reflecting ongoing focus on accountability. Over 70 Democratic lawmakers have also pressed Hegseth for answers on civilian casualties in Iran.
Source: Bloomberg Markets · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing