Iran on the 10th (local time) released evidence saying the tragedy in which 175 children and teachers were killed by a missile that struck a local elementary school was caused by a U.S. military attack. The basis supporting this is missile debris recovered after the airstrike.
According to the New York Times (NYT), Iran's state broadcaster IRIB posted photos on its Telegram channel, saying they were "remains of a U.S. missile that fell on an elementary school in Minab." The NYT reported that the fragments appear to be parts from a U.S. Tomahawk missile.
The photos show fragments placed on a table. Earlier, "Shajara Tayiba Elementary School" in Minab, Hormozgan Province in southern Iran, came under external attack at about 10:45 a.m. on Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel began their attack on Iran. As a result, at least 175 people, including children and teachers who were in class at the time, were killed, and the school building was destroyed.
The NYT reported that an analysis of the fragments found an "SDL antenna," used as a satellite communications antenna for Tomahawk missiles. It bore a code number indicating the U.S. Department of Defense placed a procurement order in 2014 and listed the manufacturer. The manufacturer is Bell Aerospace and Technologies, a U.S. defense contractor.
Another fragment had the phrase "Made in USA" along with the manufacturer's name. According to the NYT, this fragment is a component used for course correction in a Tomahawk missile.
The Tomahawk is a long-range cruise missile used by the U.S. military. It is launched from Navy surface ships or submarines to strike targets precisely. The NYT said that aside from the United States, the only countries operating the missile are its allies the United Kingdom and Australia.
However, the NYT reported it is unclear where and how the missile parts disclosed by Iran were collected.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said the airstrike on the Iranian elementary school was carried out by Iran. At a news conference the previous day at Trump National Doral golf course in Miami, Florida, which he owns, he said, "Iran also has Tomahawks." Earlier on the 8th aboard Air Force One, he told reporters, "It was Iran that did it."