US general tells lawmakers military has ‘robust standards’ for reducing civilian harm

A top Pentagon official said Thursday that the U.S. military has “robust standards” to reduce civilian harm, addressing concerns outdated intelligence likely led to a deadly American missile strike on an Iranian school.

Gen. Alexus Grynkewich spoke at a Senate committee hearing on European operations. But Sen. Kristen Gillibrand, D-N.Y., pressed the head of European Command on the strike and Trump administration staffing cuts at a Pentagon office focused on reducing civilian casualties.

Grynkewich said the cuts haven’t curtailed his ability to prevent civilian harm.

“We have robust standards that we go through, and look to see and update the imagery, and update our understanding of the target and refresh the intelligence on a recurring basis to determine the chances of civilian harm,” he said.  — AP