Oversight Actions Regarding the Minab Civilian Casualty Incident

I am writing as a constituent to express deep concern about the February 2026 strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in Minab, Iran, which killed more than 150 civilians, most of them young children. Multiple independent investigations, as well as reporting on internal Department of Defense assessments, indicate that U.S. forces were likely responsible for the strike. The scale of civilian loss, the questions surrounding outdated intelligence, and the lack of public transparency make this an issue that urgently requires Senate oversight. Because you serve on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and have long been a leading voice on civilian protection, U.S. foreign policy accountability, and the responsible use of American military power, I respectfully request that you take the following actions: 1. Request a classified briefing for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee A formal briefing from the Department of Defense, CENTCOM, and the State Department is essential to clarify the intelligence basis for the strike, the targeting process, the role of AI‑assisted identification systems, and the preliminary findings of the ongoing command investigation. 2. Urge SFRC leadership to hold a public hearing on the Minab strike and U.S. civilian‑harm policy A public hearing would allow expert testimony, create a transparent record, and demonstrate that the Senate is fulfilling its constitutional oversight responsibilities. Given the magnitude of the civilian casualties, this is an appropriate and necessary step. 3. Submit written Questions for the Record (QFRs) to the Department of Defense and the State Department Written questions compel detailed, on‑the‑record responses. These questions should address the intelligence used to justify the strike, the known separation between the school and the adjacent IRGC facility, the targeting review process, and whether civilian‑harm mitigation protocols were followed. 4. Request the release of the completed civilian‑harm assessment once finalized The public deserves to know the findings of the Pentagon’s investigation, including whether the strike resulted from outdated intelligence, procedural failures, or systemic issues. An unclassified summary, with appropriate redactions, would help restore public trust. 5. Consider introducing or co‑sponsoring a Senate resolution calling for transparency and accountability A resolution urging the Department of Defense to release its findings, reaffirming the importance of civilian‑harm mitigation, or calling for updated targeting protocols would send a strong signal that the Senate expects full accountability. 6. Request a Government Accountability Office (GAO) review of U.S. targeting procedures and civilian‑harm mitigation systems A GAO investigation would provide an independent, nonpartisan assessment of whether current systems are adequate and whether failures contributed to the Minab tragedy. Civilian protection is a core American value and a legal obligation under international humanitarian law. When an incident of this magnitude occurs, the Senate has a responsibility to ensure that the truth is established, that any failures are corrected, and that the United States upholds the standards it expects of others. I respectfully ask that you pursue these oversight actions and inform me of any steps you are able to take. Thank you for your continued service and for your leadership on issues of accountability and human rights.