US President Donald Trump on Monday suggested, without evidence, that the deadly strike on an Iranian elementary school could have been carried out by Iran or “somebody else.” The comment came as oil prices surged amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. During multiple appearances in Florida, Trump was asked whether the US would accept responsibility for the strike that killed dozens of children. Video evidence shows that a US Tomahawk missile struck the naval base adjacent to the school. Trump responded by claiming the bombing might have been carried out by Iran or another party. “It’s something that I was told is under investigation, but Tomahawks are used by others. Numerous nations buy them from us,” he said. Trump described the US military campaign in the Middle East as a “little excursion” to eliminate “some evil,” suggesting the operation was ahead of schedule. Despite the ongoing war, he indicated it was close to completion. As the conflict’s economic toll grew, Trump hinted that the US might lift some oil sanctions temporarily to reduce prices. The US Treasury has already allowed India a 30-day waiver to purchase Russian oil stranded at sea. Trump said the US would not allow Iran to “hold the world hostage” with oil. “We will hit them so hard that it will not be possible for them, or anybody else helping them, to ever recover that section of the world if they do anything,” he added. Video released by the Iranian news agency Mehr and verified by the investigative group Bellingcat indicates that the elementary school in Minab was hit during strikes on a nearby Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) naval compound. Experts have confirmed the missile in the video is a Tomahawk, currently only used by the US in the conflict. When pressed on why he suggested Iran was responsible—a claim no other official supported—Trump said, “Because I just don’t know enough about it.” The strike destroyed nearly half of the school and killed dozens of girls aged seven to twelve. Trump said he is “willing to live” with whatever the investigation concludes. Trump also spoke about Operation Epic Fury, launched by the US and Israel on February 28. He claimed the mission had been successful but said there was more work to do. Speaking to House Republicans in Miami, he said, “We’ve already won in many ways, but we haven’t won enough. We go forward, more determined than ever to achieve ultimate victory.” He dismissed criticism from Democratic officials about the lack of clear rationale for the US-Israeli operation. Trump said the US acted to prevent an imminent Iranian attack, though he provided no new evidence to support this claim. He cited intelligence briefings from his defense and state officials and special envoys, including Jared Kushner, his son-in-law. Trump did not confirm whether Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was a specific target. He expressed disappointment with the selection and previously called Khamenei a “lightweight,” describing the appointment as a mistake. At the start of the war, Trump encouraged Iranians to “be brave, be bold, be heroic, and take back your country.” Israel has stated it will target the new supreme leader. Trump also mentioned his conversations with families of soldiers killed in the US-Iran conflict during a ceremony at Dover Air Force Base. “They all said one thing to me,” he said. “‘Make sure you win, sir. Make sure you win.’” The Iran school strike has intensified debates over accountability and the US role in the ongoing Middle East conflict, raising global concern over civilian casualties and economic impacts, including rising oil prices.