On the morning of February 28, 2026, tragedy struck the southern Iranian city of Minab, Hormozgan Province, when a girls' elementary school became the target of a deadly airstrike attributed to United States and Israeli military operations. According to multiple Iranian media outlets, including reports from AFP and IRIB TV, the attack resulted in the deaths of at least 85 students, with many more injured. As the news broke, the reported death toll continued to rise, painting a grim picture of the devastation wrought on a day that should have been routine for the school’s young students.
The scale of the loss was immediately apparent. The school, which had 170 students attending its morning session that Saturday—an ordinary school day in Iran, where weekends fall on Thursdays and Fridays—was left in ruins. Images broadcast by Iran’s state-run IRIB showed a building with its facade destroyed and blackened by fire, while crowds of distraught people gathered outside. The scene, as described by local officials and international wire services, was one of chaos and heartbreak.
Ahmad Nafisi, the deputy governor of Hormozgan Province, confirmed that the school was directly hit during the airstrike on Minab. He emphasized that 170 girls were present at the time, all participating in the morning shift. "The school was directly affected by the Israeli airstrike on Minab," Nafisi stated, as reported by Yonhap News Agency and other outlets. The attack not only left a deep scar on the community but also sent shockwaves across the region and the world.
Minab is not just any city in southern Iran. It is known to host a base of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a fact that has drawn the attention of international observers and may have influenced the military operations in the area. However, the targeting of a civilian elementary school—especially one filled with young girls—has sparked outrage and condemnation both within Iran and beyond its borders.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a swift and forceful response. In a statement carried by TASS and Iranian state media, Pezeshkian condemned the airstrike as a barbaric act. He did not mince words, declaring, "This barbaric act adds yet another page to the chronicle of crimes committed by the invading countries." He continued, "I strongly condemn this inhumane attack and express my condolences to the victims, their families, and the entire Iranian people." The president’s words reflected the collective grief and anger felt by many Iranians in the wake of the attack.
The president’s statement was echoed by other Iranian officials and media. The Iranian judiciary, cited by AFP, confirmed the grim toll: 85 students dead, with the number of casualties expected to rise as more information became available. State news agency IRNA and other outlets reported that several students were also injured, adding to the sense of loss and urgency as rescue and medical teams scrambled to respond.
For the residents of Minab, the events of February 28 will likely be etched in memory for years to come. The school, once a place of learning and laughter, was transformed in an instant into a site of mourning and devastation. The images of the blackened, broken building and the crowds of grieving families stand as stark reminders of the human cost of military conflict.
Internationally, the incident has reignited debates about the conduct of military operations in areas where civilians—especially children—are present. While Minab’s status as a host to an IRGC base may have made it a strategic target, the decision to strike in a way that resulted in such high civilian casualties has drawn criticism and demands for accountability. Humanitarian organizations and rights advocates have long warned of the dangers posed by airstrikes in populated areas, and the events in Minab have only intensified those concerns.
The attack also comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, with the United States and Israel frequently at odds with Iran over a range of security and geopolitical issues. While details about the specific objectives of the February 28 operation remain sparse, the consequences for the local community are all too clear. The loss of so many young lives has deepened animosities and fueled calls for restraint and protection of civilians in conflict zones.
Iranian media coverage has been unflinching in its portrayal of the tragedy. State broadcasters and newspapers have highlighted the scale of the loss and the suffering of families, while also underscoring the presence of the IRGC base as a possible factor in the attack. According to IRNA and IRIB, the school was not only physically destroyed but also became a symbol of the broader impact of military conflict on ordinary people.
As the news of the airstrike spread, condolences and expressions of solidarity poured in from across Iran. President Pezeshkian’s message, addressed not only to the victims and their families but also to the people of Minab and the nation as a whole, captured the mood of collective mourning. "I strongly condemn this inhumane attack and express my condolences to the victims, their families, and the entire Iranian people," he said, reiterating his government’s commitment to seeking justice and accountability.
Meanwhile, the international community has begun to take notice. Humanitarian agencies and foreign governments are likely to face renewed pressure to investigate the circumstances of the attack and to ensure that such incidents do not recur. The tragedy in Minab has once again highlighted the vulnerability of civilians—especially children—in times of war and the urgent need for safeguards to protect them.
For now, the focus remains on the victims and their families. Efforts are underway to provide medical care for the injured and support for those who have lost loved ones. The road to recovery will be long, and the scars—both physical and emotional—will take time to heal. Yet the resilience of the community, as seen in the outpouring of grief and solidarity, offers a glimmer of hope amid the darkness.
The events of February 28, 2026, in Minab stand as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of military conflict for innocent civilians. As the world grapples with the aftermath, the voices of those affected—and the lessons learned—will be crucial in shaping a future where such tragedies are less likely to occur.