Democrats in US Senate Demand Answers on Attack on Iranian School and Civilians

(Patria) - Almost every Democratic member of the US Senate signed a letter sent to US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, calling for a "swift investigation" into airstrikes on a girls' school in Iran that killed many children, and all other potential US military actions that caused civilian harm, Reuters reported.

Reuters reported on March 5 that US military investigators believe it is likely that US forces were responsible for the attack on the school on February 28, when US and Israeli forces launched attacks on Iran.

"The results of this attack on the school are horrific. Most of those killed in the attacks were girls between the ages of seven and twelve. Neither the United States nor the Israeli government has yet taken responsibility for this attack," the letter signed by 46 senators stated.

The correspondence was signed by every member of the Democratic Senate caucus except for John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a senator known for his outspoken views and occasional defiance of the party.

The letter sought answers to a series of questions, including whether US forces carried out the attacks, what steps the military has taken to prevent and mitigate civilian harm, and what role artificial intelligence tools played in the operations.
Hegseth said he would restore the "warrior ethos" to the US military and called the rules of engagement, directives typically given to military forces during conflicts, "stupid" at a recent press conference.

Iran's ambassador to the United Nations said on Tuesday that more than 1,300 civilians were killed in the US-Israeli attacks.

No Republicans signed the letter. Members of President Donald Trump's party, who hold a 53-seat majority in the Senate, have almost unanimously supported his Iran strategy, with only a few expressing doubts about any aspect of the war.

The lawmakers' comments came as they awaited a White House request that is expected to seek more funds for the war. Several congressional aides said they expected President Donald Trump to seek fifty billion dollars, although others said that estimate seemed low.