US senators press military commanders about Iran operation

WASHINGTON

Several US senators pressed military commanders Thursday on ongoing military operations in Iran as they testified on defense readiness and the 2027 budget.

US Supreme Allied Commander in Europe Gen. Alexus Grynkewich and US Transportation Command Commander Gen. Randall Reed testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee, where they addressed issues ranging from operations in the Middle East to the global security environment.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand questioned Grynkewich about reports that a US missile may have struck a girls school in Iran.

“We have seen horrific reports of a US missile hitting a girls school in Iran … The data that was looked at was a decade old, that any person who can get satellite access to Google Maps today can see that this was a school," Gillibrand said.

Her remarks came one day after a New York Times report said a preliminary US military investigation concluded that American forces were responsible for a Feb. 28 deadly strike on the school, killing more than 170 victims.

US President Donald Trump told reporters Wednesday that he does not know about the recent findings.

"Can you guess how we could have gotten this wrong in Iran and targeted at children's school?" Gillibrand asked.

Grynkewich said he would not speculate with any incident like that one.

“I would just say there’s usually a chain of errors and mistakes that happen similar to an aviation accident or some other transportation accident, and I would say we just need to let the investigation play out and find all those factors," he added.

Sen. Gary Peters asked Reed whether plans are underway to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic.

"Are you in talks with the CENTCOM Commander Adm. (Brad) Cooper on having actual plans to open up the strait to commercial traffic?" Peters asked.

Reed said his command is working with Cooper as he continues to prosecute Operation Epic Fury against Iran.

"In the war fighting sense, we are doing all that we can to help him get after the targets," Reed said.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren raised concerns from constituents who are reportedly stranded in the Middle East.

"I'm hearing from my constituents who are stranded there … and they're not getting help from the US government," Warren said.

Reed responded, "As we receive a tasking … TRANSCOM is responding."

During his opening statement, Grynkewich said the US faces a "complex and evolving" global security environment, referring to growing cooperation between Russia, North Korea, Iran and China.

On the Russia-Ukraine war, Grynkewich said the US continues to flow munitions into Ukraine.