Last Updated on March 1, 2026 by siva.toronto
A devastating missile strike hit the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in Minab, Hormozgan province, southern Iran, on February 28, 2026, during the opening hours of escalated US-Israeli military operations against Iran.
According to Iranian state and semi-official media—including Mizan News Agency (citing local prosecutor Ebrahim Taheri), Tasnim News Agency, IRNA, and IRIB—the death toll has risen to at least 148–153, with the vast majority being young schoolgirls (estimates indicate over 100 children aged 7–12 killed) and nearly 95 injured. Rescue efforts continue amid rubble, with reports of parents searching through destroyed classrooms and backpacks.
Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iran’s UN envoy, have condemned the incident as a deliberate US-Israeli airstrike and “war crime,” violating international humanitarian law by targeting innocents during school hours. UNESCO expressed deep alarm, describing the attack on an educational institution as a grave breach of protections for schools.
The school is near an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) base previously targeted. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated they are “not aware” of operations targeting the school or immediate area. US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it is reviewing reports of civilian casualties from the operations, without specific confirmation or denial.
Some observers have noted the proximity to the IRGC facility, raising unconfirmed possibilities of an errant Iranian missile during retaliation—though no official sources from the US or Israel have supported this. This tragic loss of young lives remains one of the most reported civilian incidents in the escalation.
As details emerge and investigations proceed, responsibility is disputed. Readers should consult diverse credible sources for ongoing developments.(Sourced primarily from Iranian state media (Mizan, Tasnim, IRNA, IRIB), officials including Ebrahim Taheri and Abbas Araghchi; UNESCO statements; IDF and CENTCOM responses; cross-reported by outlets including BBC, Middle East Eye, The New York Times, and others.)
