Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth became evasive during an interview with CBS that aired Sunday when asked about the deadly strike on an Iranian elementary school last week that killed at least 168 children and 14 teachers, a strike that several analyses suggest was carried out by the Trump administration.
The strike, which was was carried out earlier this month, coincided with the Trump administration’s unprecedented attack on Iran, with Reuters, CNN and The New York Times all reporting that the strike was likely carried out by U.S. forces.
When asked about the strike and whether it came from the United States, Hegseth pivoted to attacking Iranian leadership.
“Well, we’re still investigating, and that’s where I’ll leave it today,” Hegseth said. “But what I will emphasize to you and to the world, is that unlike our adversaries – the Iranians – we never target civilians.”
Hegseth was asked again about the strikes, and this time with references to reports that suggested the strike was carried out by the United States.
“I’ve already said, we’re investigating,” Hegseth said.
Again, Hegseth was pressed on the matter, only this time asked if he would tell the American people if he could definitively say the strike was not carried out by the United States.
“I would… I’d… would say it’s being investigated, which is the only answer I’m prepared to give,” Hegseth said.
CBS: If you could tell the American public the US definitively did not bomb that elementary school in Iran, you would tell us, wouldn't you?
HEGSETH: I would say it's being investigated, which is the only answer I'm prepared to give pic.twitter.com/HlFWWD1H0z
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 9, 2026