Kaine Presses Pentagon on Military Targets During Operation Epic Fury, Raises Concerns Regarding Strike on Iranian School

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, sent a letter to the Department of Defense regarding the pre-selected lists of targets in Iran used during the initial strikes of Operation Epic Fury. In his letter, he specifically raised concerns about the February 28 strike on a school in Minab, Iran, in which over 150 civilians, including many children, were killed. Kaine requested answers by August 14 about the Department's procedures for target development and the report on the bombing of Shajarah Tayyebeh Elementary School.

"I write regarding the pre-selected lists of targets in Iran used during the initial strikes of Operation Epic Fury," wrote Kaine. "I am deeply concerned about the inclusion of a school in Minab, Iran on the lists of verified targets and the death of over 150 civilians, the majority of whom were children."

"The school was allegedly targeted during the strikes on February 28, 2026, because the Department relied on outdated information provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency," Kaine continued. "U.S. officials have stated this data indicated that the building housing Shajarah Tayyebeh Elementary School was part of a military base, but public reporting has revealed that one analyst raised concerns about the accuracy of that assessment as early as 2019. Tragically, those concerns were not heeded and the school continued to be revalidated as a legitimate military target."

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Secretary Hegseth:

I write regarding the pre-selected lists of targets in Iran used during the initial strikes of Operation Epic Fury. I am deeply concerned about the inclusion of a school in Minab, Iran on the lists of verified targets and the death of over 150 civilians, the majority of whom were children.

The school was allegedly targeted during the strikes on February 28, 2026, because the Department relied on outdated information provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency. U.S. officials have stated this data indicated that the building housing Shajarah Tayyebeh Elementary School was part of a military base, but public reporting has revealed that one analyst raised concerns about the accuracy of that assessment as early as 2019. Tragically, those concerns were not heeded and the school continued to be revalidated as a legitimate military target.

My expectation is that your Department's report on the bombing will include a detailed analysis of why the analyst's concerns were ignored.

In addition, I request answers to the following questions no later than August 14, 2026:

1. What formal procedures exist for analysts to report concerns about potential targets?

2. What formal procedures exist for targets to be reviewed after a concern is raised about their accuracy?

3. Why did the Minab school remain on the target list for years after American intelligence warned that it should be removed and after publicly available data clearly showed that it was a school?

4. When will your department's report on the bombing of Shajarah Tayyebeh Elementary School be released?

5. Where is this report in the review process as of July 23, 2026?

6. Who else in the Department must review and sign off on this report?

7. What criteria are being used to evaluate the report?

Sincerely,

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