PRETORIA / TEHRAN — In an inflammatory escalation of the “Information War,” the Iranian Embassy in South Africa has publicly released the names and photographs of two senior U.S. Navy officers it alleges are responsible for the February 28, 2026 strike on a girls’ school in Minab. The post, shared on Sunday, March 29, identifies the officers as the leadership of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111), labeling them “criminals” for the deaths of 168 children.
The move marks a shift from general condemnation to a targeted “naming and shaming” campaign against specific U.S. military personnel.
The “Wanted” List: Leigh R. Tate and Jeffrey E. York
The embassy’s post features side-by-side images of the officers in their official naval uniforms, accompanied by a message written in both English and Persian.
- The Accused: The post names Commander Leigh R. Tate (Commanding Officer) and Commander Jeffrey E. York (Executive Officer) of the USS Spruance.
- The Allegation: Iran claims the Spruance launched three Tomahawk cruise missiles directly at the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School, specifically targeting the building while classes were in session.
- The Emotional Appeal: “Remember these two criminals… killing 168 innocent children… Don’t they have children of their own?” the post concludes, in what analysts describe as an attempt to incite global outrage—or direct threats—against the officers.
The Evidence: The “Smoking Gun” Video
The embassy’s claims follow weeks of mounting evidence linking the Spruance to the tragedy, which remains the single deadliest civilian casualty incident of the war.
- Bellingcat Verification: A three-second verified video shows a munition—identified by experts as a Tomahawk BGM-109—hitting the school. The U.S. is the only party in the conflict confirmed to possess and use Tomahawks.
- DVIDS Documentation: On the day of the strike (Feb 28), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) published a photo of the USS Spruance firing Tomahawk missiles in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
- Outdated Maps: Reports from the New York Times suggest the strike was the result of “target misidentification” based on maps from 2013. The school was once part of a neighboring IRGC Naval Base but had been walled off and repurposed for civilian use by 2016.
The Casualty Toll: 168 to 180
While initial reports varied, the scale of the massacre at the Shajareh Tayyebeh school is now being recognized by international agencies.
| Category | Data (as of March 29, 2026) |
| Confirmed Dead | 175–180 total (including teachers and parents). |
| Child Fatalities | 168 girls (aged 7–12) specifically at the Minab site. |
| Total Injuries | Over 95 survivors with life-altering injuries. |
| Status of Site | 50% of the two-story structure reduced to rubble. |
Official Responses: “Lethality” vs. “Outrage”
The U.S. government’s stance on the incident has been a source of intense regional friction.
- The Trump Denial: When asked about the strike, President Trump told reporters on March 7: “In my opinion… that was done by Iran. They’re very inaccurate with their munitions.”
- Hegseth’s Doctrine: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth defended the overall campaign on March 2, stating the U.S. was “unleashing the most lethal and precise air power campaign in history” and dismissing “politically correct wars” and “stupid rules of engagement.”
- The Pentagon Probe: Despite the rhetoric, the Pentagon has quietly launched a Civ-Harm Assessment to determine if the strike was indeed an American targeting failure.
What’s Next?
The Iranian embassy’s decision to publish the officers’ names has led to an immediate increase in security for U.S. naval families in San Diego and Yokosuka. Experts warn that this “doxing” of active-duty commanders could lead to retaliatory cyber-attacks or physical threats against coalition personnel worldwide.
