CNN, citing three sources familiar with decision-making, reports that ahead of
the Feb. 28 strikes on Iranian targets senior US military commanders ignored
embedded warnings in a key database that intelligence on potential targets was
years out of date and required revalidation. The sources say prompts noted the
data's age and that adding targets to strike lists require senior approval, but
commanders authorized multiple strikes, including one on a girls' elementary
school that killed nearly 200 children and adults. Two sources said the warnings
were disregarded for "efficiency considerations" amid pressure to identify
targets early in the conflict; the strike is among the deadliest US actions
causing civilian casualties in recent years.
