New Mexico congressman joins colleagues demanding information from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about civilian casualties and targeting procedures

Organ Mountain News report

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez is demanding answers from the Department of Defense after reports said a U.S. airstrike on a girls’ school in Iran killed 175 civilians.

Vasquez and several House colleagues sent a letter Friday to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requesting information about the strike and the steps the military is taking to prevent civilian harm during ongoing operations in Iran.

The lawmakers asked for “detailed information about the steps the U.S. is taking to prevent and respond to civilian harm,” including an assessment of casualties from airstrikes that struck the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school last week.

Preliminary investigations cited in the letter suggest the strike may have resulted from outdated targeting data used by the U.S. military.

“Civilians and civilian infrastructure may under no circumstances be the object of attack and must at all times be respected and protected by all parties,” Vasquez and other members of Congress wrote in the letter.

Lawmakers also requested information on civilian protection policies during Operation Epic Fury and asked the Pentagon to detail how it plans to mitigate and respond to civilian harm.

Vasquez has been critical of the Biden administration’s military actions in Iran.

The congressman voted in favor of the Iran War Powers Resolution, which seeks to limit unilateral military action without congressional approval. He also cosponsored legislation that would prohibit federal officials from trading on prediction markets after reports raised concerns about administration officials profiting from the conflict.

Vasquez has also raised concerns about rising fuel prices linked to the war and urged the administration to focus on lowering costs for Americans.

Administration officials have estimated the first six days of the conflict cost taxpayers more than $11 billion.