Arabic version: قصف مدرسي مميت يودي بحياة أطفال في إيران

A missile strike on Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab, Iran, resulted in the deaths of up to 168 individuals, primarily young girls aged seven to twelve. The attack occurred during the morning session of classes, coinciding with a broader US-Israeli bombing campaign. According to The Guardian, the bombing has been labeled the worst mass casualty event of the conflict thus far.

Photographs from the scene depict a scene of devastation, with children’s bodies partially buried under debris and personal items like blood-stained backpacks scattered throughout the ruins. Eyewitness accounts describe chaotic scenes as rescue workers searched for survivors among the rubble, highlighting the tragedy of targeting a civilian school.

According to Iranian state media, 95 individuals were injured in addition to the fatalities. The attack has drawn condemnation, with UNESCO describing it as a “grave violation” of international law. Investigators have confirmed that the school’s location was adjacent to military facilities, but it was not designated for military use.

In the aftermath, Iranian officials began issuing orders for schools to close, but it remains unclear if the bombing occurred before or after these alerts. The rapid sequence of events left many families unable to retrieve their children in time. Reports indicate that due to the overwhelming number of casualties, refrigerated vehicles were utilized to store the bodies of the victims.

As misinformation spread online regarding the nature of the attack, officials from the US military stated they were reviewing reports of civilian harm, affirming that they do not intentionally target schools. The ongoing conflict has already resulted in significant civilian casualties across the country, with reports indicating at least 555 deaths related to the US-led operations.