At least 53 lives were claimed following an Israeli strike that targeted an elementary girls’ school in Minab, located in Hormozgan province in southern Iran.
The Strike Unfolds
Israeli forces struck the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in Minab on February 28, 2026. The attack occurred during a joint US-Israeli military operation against Iran. Witnesses reported massive explosions that reduced the building to rubble. Rescue teams searched the debris for survivors throughout the day.
Casualties Reported
Iranian state media confirmed 53 people died and 63 suffered injuries in the strike. Most victims included young students aged seven to 12. Families gathered outside the site, where workers cleared wreckage amid ongoing chaos. Additionally, reports indicated the school hosted 170 students at the time.
Iranian Response
Iran condemned the attack as a violation of sovereignty. Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, shared images of the destruction and stated, “These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered.”
Esmaeil Baghaei, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, called it a “blatant crime” and urged the United Nations Security Council to act. Meanwhile, Iran launched retaliatory strikes on Israeli and US targets.
US and Israeli Positions
The United States investigated reports of civilian harm. A US Central Command spokesperson said, “We are aware of reports concerning civilian harm resulting from ongoing military operations.” Officials noted the school stood near an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps base.
Donald Trump, US President, announced the operation in a video and claimed it aimed to eliminate Iran’s nuclear threats and missile programs. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, released a statement supporting regime change in Tehran. However, neither side commented directly on the school incident.
Broader Conflict
The strike formed part of widespread attacks that killed Iranian leaders, including claims about Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran reported another school hit east of Tehran, where two students died. Tensions escalated after prior conflicts in 2025, leading to regional airspace closures.
