Nearly every Democratic senator in the U.S. Senate has added their signature to a letter sent this week to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pressing for a swift investigation into airstrikes that struck a girls' school in Iran and led to the deaths of many children.
The letter, signed by 46 senators, asks for immediate answers about the February 28 strike and any other potential military actions that may have caused civilian casualties. It highlights the devastating human toll of the school attack and seeks clarity on whether U.S. forces were involved.
Military investigators, in reporting released on March 5, stated they believe it is likely that U.S. forces were responsible for the strike on the school as U.S. and Israeli forces carried out attacks on Iran. The senators’ correspondence directly references the impact of that strike.
"The results of this school attack are horrific. The majority of those killed in the strikes were girls between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. Neither the United States nor the Israeli Government has yet taken responsibility for this attack," the letter states.
The letter to Secretary Hegseth was signed by every member of the Senate Democratic caucus except Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. Known for his outspoken stances and occasional departures from party consensus, Fetterman's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In addition to asking whether U.S. forces conducted the strikes, the senators requested information on what steps the military has taken to prevent and mitigate civilian harm and sought details about the role that artificial intelligence tools have played in operations.
The Department of Defense did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the letter. Separately, Secretary Hegseth has publicly said he intends to restore what he has called a "warrior ethos" to the U.S. military, and in a recent press conference described rules of engagement as "stupid."
Iran’s U.N. ambassador stated on Tuesday that the U.S.-Israeli strikes had killed more than 1,300 civilians.
No Senate Republican signed the letter. Members of President Donald Trump’s party, which holds a 53-seat majority in the Senate, have largely supported his approach to Iran; only a small number of Republicans have publicly questioned aspects of the war.
The senators’ inquiries arrive as lawmakers await a forthcoming White House funding request related to the war. Several congressional aides have said they expect an ask of $50 billion, although some aides described that estimate as likely too low. The size and scope of any requested funding could influence congressional debate in the coming weeks.
Context and next steps
The letter seeks a rapid and transparent accounting of events surrounding the school strike, the broader consequences for civilians, the military’s internal safeguards against such harm, and how emerging technologies have been integrated into targeting and operational decision-making. With key questions outstanding and official responses pending, lawmakers are pressing Pentagon leadership for information that could shape oversight and future policy decisions.